Biphasic spiral computed tomography versus digital subtraction angiography for evaluation of arterial thrombosis after orthotopic liver transplantation

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. The authors characterize the spiral computed tomographic (CT) findings in patients with hepatic arterial thrombosis after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). METHODS. In nine with and 15 patients without hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) after OLT, unenhanced and contrast-enhanced biphasic spiral CT was performed during arterial and venous phases, and evaluated by consensus of two blinded readers, Evaluation included signs of parenchymal and vascular changes in the liver, Findings subsequently were correlated with those of digital subtraction angiography (DSA). RESULTS. Among all patients, eight had complete occlusion of the proximal hepatic artery and one patient had partial thrombosis, as revealed by conventional DSA, Characteristic CT findings of HAT included irregularly shaped confluent hypoattenuating liver areas (n = 8), seen both before and after administration of contrast material, Necrotic lesions and changes consistent with ischemic type of biliary lesion were documented in six patients, Biphasic CT allowed detection of HAT in eight patients, Because of inadequate contrast enhancement during the arterial phase, thrombosed intrahepatic arteries were not adequately diagnosed in one patient, Overall CT sensitivity to detect HAT was 89%, specificity was 100%. CONCLUSIONS. Characteristic biphasic spiral CT findings in hepatic artery thrombosis contribute to early detection of arterial thrombosis after OLT and are helpful for planning more invasive diagnostic approaches.