AJR. American journal of roentgenology
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Apr 1995
Comparative StudyBiliary sludge after liver transplantation: 2. Treatment with interventional techniques versus surgery and/or oral chemolysis.
Interventional treatment of biliary sludge in liver transplant recipients includes transhepatic biliary drainage and saline irrigation, catheter chemolysis and/or basket extraction, and endoscopic intervention. The purpose of this study was to compare these interventional procedures with oral chemolysis and with surgical treatment of biliary sludge in order to evaluate the effectiveness of interventional procedures as an alternative to surgery in the treatment of this complication. ⋯ Interventional techniques are effective therapeutic alternatives for treating biliary sludge occurring after liver transplantation and should be considered before surgical procedures. An indication for interventional procedures in biliary sludge is lack of success of oral chemolysis and an absence of other complications that require surgery or retransplantation.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Apr 1995
Evaluation of the portal venous system before liver transplantation: value of phase-contrast MR angiography.
The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of phase-contrast MR angiography with gadolinium in evaluating the patency and blood flow direction of the portal venous system; the presence, extent, and type of varices; and the patency of surgical decompressive shunts in patients before liver transplantation. This information is essential in management and care of patients with chronic liver disease and portal hypertension and those who are candidates for liver transplantation. ⋯ Phase-contrast MR angiography is accurate for evaluating the patency and flow direction of the portal venous system, detecting and determining the distribution and extent of varices, and assessing the patency of surgically created shunts. Therefore, it is a reliable and noninvasive technique that can provide crucial information in the preoperative workup of liver transplant recipients.