Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic and follow up value of magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) in biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).
Methods: MRC was performed, using 1.5 T scanner on 166 consecutive OLT recipients. The MRC results were analyzed and compared with the confirmed diagnosis criteria (direct cholangiography, laparotomy, and liver puncture).
Results: The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive value of MRC in diagnosis of biliary complications were 98.4%, 81.6%, 87.9%, 76.5% and 98.8%. 104 clinically normal cases and 62 symptomatic cases showed 31 and 50 MRC abnormal findings respectively. MRC totally showed 70 cases of suspected biliary complications following OLT, including 41 cases with anastomotic stricture, 8 with focal non-anastomotic stricture, and 12 with stones or debris formation, 2 with bile leak, 3 with cholangitis and 4 with oppressive changes of biliary tract. MRC also showed periportal edema in 11 cases.
Conclusion: A good imaging modality to show both periportal edema and biliary abnormality of various patterns, MRC provides important information for post-operational follow up and early detection of biliary complications in OLT recipients.