Diagnostic accuracy of 3D breath-hold MR cholangiography using compressed sensing acceleration in visualizing non-dilated biliary system in living donor liver transplantation donors

Abstract

Background

Visualizing non-dilated biliary system is important for preoperative mapping of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) donors.

Purpose

To evaluate diagnostic accuracy of three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) within a breath-hold (BH) using compressed sensing (CS) acceleration in visualizing non-dilated biliary system in LDLT donors.

Material and Methods

For this prospective study, 43 donors who underwent LDLT were enrolled. Preoperative MRC sequence included BH CS-MRC (17-s BH) and conventional respiratory-triggered (RT) MRC. Two radiologists evaluated biliary configurations of the hepatic hilum, left lobe, and cystic duct. Diagnostic accuracy was assessed using intraoperative cholangiography and surgical records as a reference standard. The association between severity of artifact in RT MRC and better accuracy of BH CS-MRC in visualizing hilar biliary configuration was also evaluated.

Results

Diagnostic accuracy of BH CS-MRC was not significantly different from that of RT MRC for biliary configurations of the hepatic hilum (69.8% vs. 76.7%, P = 0.579 and 72.1% vs. 74.4%, P > 0.999), left lobe (48.8% vs. 60.5%, P = 0.332 and 48.8% vs. 67.4%, P = 0.080), and cystic duct (90.7% vs. 93.0%, P > 0.999 and 95.3% vs. 95.3%, P > 0.999), though it showed a slight tendency to be lower. Severe artifacts seen in RT MRC were significantly associated with better accuracy of BH CS-MRC (both P < 0.001).

Conclusions

BH CS-MRC can be seen as complementary to RT MRC in visualizing non-dilated biliary anatomy in LDLT donors and be useful especially for individuals whose RT MRC images show severe artifacts.