Hepatic arterial anatomy in transplantation candidates: evaluation with three-dimensional CT arteriography.

PURPOSE

To assess the utility of three-dimensional (3D) hepatic helical computed tomographic (CT) arteriography as a replacement for conventional angiography in the evaluation of the arterial anatomy of patients being considered for liver transplantation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three-dimensional CT arteriograms were obtained in 115 patients. Seventeen patients also underwent conventional angiography, and 16 patients who did not undergo angiography underwent hepatic transplantation.

RESULTS

Among the 3D CT arteriograms, 106 delineated the major arteries that supplied the liver. Nine were considered technical failures. In the 17 patients with angiographic correlation, there was only one marked disagreement with 3D CT arteriography. In the 16 patients with surgical correlation, no marked discrepancies were found.

CONCLUSION

In transplantation candidates, successful 3D CT arteriography was as accurate as angiography in the assessment of hepatic arterial anatomy. It was also safer, more convenient, and more easily tolerated. Conventional CT plus 3D CT arteriography was only 25% as expensive as the cost of conventional CT and conventional angiography.