[MR cholangiography in biliary complications after liver transplantation in children]

To evaluate the role of MR Cholangiography in a pediatric population with biliary complications after liver transplantation and particularly with anastomotic stenosis.

Ten MR cholangiography studies were performed in 10 children with liver transplant who were suspected of having biliary complications between December 1996 and April 1998. The findings on MR were correlated with the results from liver biopsy, liver ultrasound, liver function tests and with clinical information when available.

MR cholangiography identified 9 children with biliary tree dilatation, 4 with anastomotic stenosis, 5 with multiple bile ducts stenosis, 2 with stones in the intra-hepatic biliary tree and 2 with abnormalities suspicious for acute cholangitis. Three of 4 anastomotic stenoses were confirmed and treated by percutaneous cholangiography. There was no correlation between the different exams in 6 children but MR cholangiography confirmed the final diagnosis.

In children with liver transplantation, MR cholangiography may be useful to evaluate and to confirm a diagnosis of bile duct complications and it is helpful in the absence of correlation between liver biopsy, ultrasound and liver function test.