Vascular complications of pancreatic transplantation: MR evaluation.

PURPOSE

To determine the value of magnetic resonance (MR) angiography and MR imaging with dynamic gadopentetate dimeglumine-enhanced gradient-echo (Gd-GRE) sequences in detection of vascular complications of pancreatic transplantation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three radiologists evaluated findings of 32 MR examinations in 20 adult patients who underwent pancreatic transplantation. The images were obtained with a surface coil and T1-weighted and T2-weighted fast spin-echo sequences, Gd-GRE sequences, and MR angiography. Vascular abnormality was confirmed at surgery or biopsy, and vascular patency with clinical correlation.

RESULTS

Absence of flow was found in six of 32 studies (19%): acute vascular thrombosis of the vascular pedicle and/or branch vessels in four studies (three patients) and chronic pancreatic rejection in two studies (one patient). Gd-GRE images helped identify infarction in two patients. The sensitivity of MR angiography for detection of acute vascular compromise was 100%, and the specificity was 93%.

CONCLUSION

MR angiography and MR imaging with Gd-GRE sequences allow detection of vascular complications of pancreatic transplantation.