Application of inflow reverse recovery sequence in MR portal vein imaging after liver transplantation / 中国医学影像技术

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the application value of inflow reversal recovery (IFIR) sequence in portal vein imaging after liver transplantation. Methods IFIR sequence imaging and contrast-enhanced MRA (CE-MRA) were performed successively on the upper abdomen in 26 patients after liver transplantation. The portal vein display quality of 2 kinds of images was scored and compared independently by 2 radiologists. The diameter of anastomotic stoma was measured and compared, and the consistency of image quality scores and anastomotic diameters were evaluated between the 2 radiologists. Results Both IFIR sequence and CE-MRA could show the main portal vein and the proximal left and right branches of the portal vein in 26 patients, and the image quality score ≥3 points was 92.31% (24/26) and 96.15% (25/26), respectively. There was no significant difference of image quality score of IFIR sequence and CE-MRA evaluated by 2 radiologists (radiologist 1: Z=-1.077, P=0.282; radiologist 2: Z=-0.629, P=0.529), nor of the measured diameter of anastomosis between IFIR sequence and CE-MRA (radiologist 1: t=0.369, P=0.546; radiologist 2: t=0.020, P=0.889). The consistency of image quality scores and anastomotic diameters evaluated by the 2 radiologists was good. Conclusion IFIR sequence can be used as an effective method to evaluate portal vein after liver transplantation.