[Liver transplantation: diagnostic imaging in the preoperative assessment]

Radiol Med. 1992 Oct;84(4):393-9.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

The correct selection of patients for liver transplantation, which is essential for surgical success, requires thorough radiological evaluation. The authors present their experience on 94 pretransplant adult patients that underwent a total of 251 diagnostic exams (Doppler US, CT, angiography and cholangiography) and interventional radiology maneuvers (biopsy, chemoembolization, biliary drainage). Three sclerosing cholangitis, 3 Budd-Chiari syndromes and 20 hepatocellular carcinomas in cirrhotic patients were identified; venous collaterals were present in 62.7% of the cases, 12.8%, of which had important spontaneous porto-systemic shunts; 6 patients had portal thrombosis; 20 arterial variations were found. Interventional maneuvers were useful and free of complications. US, CT and angiographic findings of each patient were compared. Integrating informations from different exams allowed a significant increase in the accuracy of diagnostic conclusions. Thanks to interventional maneuvers 5 patients could be selected for transplantation (hepatic arterial lipiodolization stopped the growth of 4 hepatic neoplasms; 2 infected fluid collections were sterilized by percutaneous US-guided drainage and topic therapy.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Liver Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Liver Diseases / surgery
  • Liver Transplantation*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Preoperative Care*