Magnetic Resonance Cholangiography of Biliary Complications of Liver Transplantation

Abstract

While the results of liver transplantation have improved dramatically over the past forty years, the biliary complications after OLT still occur in approximately 10%-25% of cases. Biliary strictures, bile leaks and bile duct stones account for the majority of these complications. The complications are categorized as early complications which include leaks from either the anastomosis or from the Ttube site or late complications that include biliary strictures, choledocholithiasis, mucocele of cystic duct remenant and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. Imaging plays an important role in detecting postsurgical biliary complications. The diagnostic approach of biliary complications after OLT should begin with a liver US and Doppler examination of the hepatic artery. Also CT scanning can help to detect or confirm these postoperative complications While in cases with a strong clinical and radiological suspicion of biliary pathology, the patient should proceed directly to ERCP. But through advances in technology, MRI is emerging as a promising modality for biliary imaging. By selecting the correct technical factors, radiologic technologists can produce heavily T2-weighted images of the biliary tract.