MRI offers less invasive peek at potential liver donors
Transplantation is the most effective method of combatting end-stage liver disease. But the success has increased demand and limited supplies for cadaveric organs.
In a study, published online July 27 in the American Journal of Roentgenology, researchers from the department of medical imaging at the University of Toronto examined how MRI can improve evaluation procedures of living liver donors.
"Since the first adult-to-adult transplantation of a right liver lobe reported in 1994, the number of living-donor liver transplants has increased dramatically with good results, similar to those of cadaver liver transplantation," Kartik S. Jhaveri, MD, et al. said. "To guide safe harvesting of the graft from donors, an accurate preoperative evaluation of potential living liver donors for conditions that increase the donor's surgical risk is crucial."
More conventional methods, including liver biopsy and selective catheter digital subtraction anglography, have historically been relatively invasive and time intensive. But CT and MRI have shown potential in evaluating potential donors.
Developments in contrast agents have improved the quality of MRI, which can overcome time and spatial resolution limitations. Imaging offers noninvasive evaluation of hepatic steatosis and vascular anatomy.
The full report can be viewed for free here.
Nicholas joined TriMed in 2016 as the managing editor of the Chicago office. After receiving his master’s from Roosevelt University, he worked in various writing/editing roles for magazines ranging in topic from billiards to metallurgy. Currently on Chicago’s north side, Nicholas keeps busy by running, reading and talking to his two cats.