Radiologic findings of biliary complications post liver transplantation

Area of Science:

• Hepatology and Transplant Surgery
• Radiology and Medical Imaging

Background:

• Liver transplantation is a vital treatment for liver failure, end-stage liver disease, and hepatic malignancy.
• Biliary complications are frequent post-liver transplant, despite surgical and immunosuppressive advances.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of liver transplant biliary anatomy and surgical techniques.
• To review common and rare post-transplant biliary complications.
• To discuss imaging findings of these complications, emphasizing MRI and MRCP.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on liver transplantation and biliary complications.
• Analysis of imaging modalities for diagnosing biliary complications.
• Emphasis on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP).

Main Results:

• Biliary complications, including ischemic cholangiopathy and anastomotic issues, are common after liver transplantation.
• A wide spectrum of biliary complications exists, ranging from infections to vanishing duct syndrome.
• MRI and MRCP are crucial for diagnosing and characterizing these post-transplant biliary complications.

Conclusions:

• Understanding biliary anatomy and surgical techniques is essential for managing liver transplant patients.
• Prompt recognition and characterization of biliary complications are vital for patient outcomes.
• Advanced imaging, particularly MRI/MRCP, plays a key role in the diagnosis and management of post-transplant biliary complications.