MAGNETIC-RESONANCE VENOGRAPHY IN LIVER BIPARTITION PROCEDURES USING PRESERVATION SOLUTION AS CONTRAST AGENT

To evaluate whether the hepatic veins can be visualized with a rapid n oninvasive technique, and if so, whether the obtained images could be helpful in the preparation of split liver grafts for transplantation, six cold stored human donor livers were investigated with magnetic res onance imaging (MRI). The hepatic vein branches and their confluence w ere clearly visualized. Anatomic variations of the middle hepatic vein with consequences for the choice of the transection plane could be de monstrated. Furthermore, unexpected vascular abnormalities were detect ed. From these preliminary results it is concluded that visualization of the hepatic veins can be helpful in determining the feasibility of the bipartition procedure and the choice of the transection plane. A p otential wide application of this fast and noninvasive technique is po ssible.