Portal vein patency in candidates for liver transplantation: MR angiographic analysis.

PURPOSE

To assess the accuracy of magnetic resonance (MR) angiography for evaluating portal vein patency in candidates for liver transplantation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MR angiography was performed in the main portal vein and proximal confluence of the portal vein in 102 candidates for liver transplantation (64 male patients and 38 female patients aged 8 months to 74 years; mean age, 47 years). The MR angiographic results were compared with the surgical and histologic findings in the explanted liver and excised main portal vein.

RESULTS

MR angiography depicted 10 portal vein clots, all of which were confirmed at transplantation. Ninety-two portal veins were patent at MR angiography, a finding that was confirmed at transplantation. One tiny chronic clot in a small, intrahepatic branch of the portal vein was not seen at MR angiography or transplantation. It was identified at histologic analysis of the explanted liver.

CONCLUSION

MR angiography is accurate in the evaluation of portal vein patency.