VASCULAR COMPLICATIONS OF PANCREATIC TRANSPLANTATION - MR EVALUATION

PURPOSE: To determine the value of magnetic resonance (MR) angiography and MR imaging with dynamic gado-pentetate dimeglumine-enhanced gradi ent-echo (Gd-GRE) sequences in detection of vascular complications of pancreatic transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three radiologists evaluated findings of 32 MR examinations in 20 adult patients who unde rwent pancreatic transplantation. The images were obtained with a surf ace coil and T1-weighted and T2-weighted fast spin-echo sequences, Gd- GRE sequences, and MR angiography. Vascular abnormality was confirmed at surgery or biopsy, and vascular patency with clinical correlation. RESULTS: Absence of flow was found in six of 32 studies (19%): acute v ascular thrombosis of the vascular pedicle and/or branch vessels in fo ur studies (three patients) and chronic pancreatic rejection in two st udies (one patient). Gd-GRE images helped identify infarction in two p atients. The sensitivity of MR angiography for detection of acute vasc ular compromise was 100%, and the specificity was 93%. CONCLUSION: MR angiography and MR imaging with Gd-GRE sequences allow detection of va scular complications of pancreatic transplantation.