ABSTRACT
The authors describe their experience using multidetector, multiphase computed tomography
(CT) for the preoperative evaluation of donors undergoing adult right lobe liver transplantation.
The marked improvement in image resolution has been extremely valuable in delineating
small hepatic arterial structures, including accessory and replaced vessels. Assessment
of liver parenchyma is valuable in determining the presence of steatosis or other
unexpected abnormalities. Measurement of total liver volume is highly accurate and
reproducible. Virtual hepatectomy can be performed in an avascular plane between the
right and left lobes, to the right of the middle hepatic vein. Knowledge of the resultant
right and left lobe volumes is critical in patient selection. Multidetector, multiphase
CT, as a single imaging modality, provides a minimally invasive comprehensive preoperative
evaluation that can be expected to have a major impact on patient selection and surgical
planning.
KEYWORD
Blood supply - computed tomography (CT) - image processing - liver transplantation
