Role of the multislice computed tomography in the preoperative evaluation of liver transplant recipients

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Multislice Computed Tomography in liver recipient candidates, its efficiency to delineate the contraindications and vascular variations. Matherials and Methods: One hundred consecutive patients 65 (65%) males and 35 (35%) females, who had abdominal Multislice Computed Tomography between October 2011 and 2015 June, were evaluated retrospectively. Clinical records, 2D multiplanar reformatting and 3D images created were obtained. Intrahepatic and extrahepatic contraindications and vascular variations which could lead to complications during surgery in terms of translant were recorded. Classifications were based on anatomical criteria and in Milan criteria assessments. Statistical analysis the Chi-square test was used. Results: Patients with contraindications for transplantation were detected. Eighteen (% 18) patients had hepatocellular carcinoma. Ten (% 10) of these patients did not confirm to the Milan criteria and were excluded from transplantation program. Vascular contraindications were detected in a total of 25 (% 25) patients. Seventy two (% 72) patients had classical anatomy, 3 (% 3) had type 2, 12 (% 12) type 3, 1 (% 1) type 6 variations, and 12 (% 12) had nonclassified variations. Hepatic vein examination was successful in 45 (% 45) of patients and in 4 (% 4) patients had determinated right posterior portal vein separated from the main portal vein variations. Conclusion: Multislice Computed Tomography is a reliable, convenient, non-invasiv method in the detection of hepatic vascular anatomy variations and intrahepatic and extrahepatic contrindications in the liver transplant candidates. Computed tomography with higher number of detectors will obviously allow to obtain thinner sections and move detailed 3D reformatted images. Keywords: Liver Transplantation, Multislice Computed Tomography, Recipient Candidates