Imaging Evaluation of the Transplant Liver

Successful management of liver transplant recipients relies on accurate imaging evaluation of the liver allograft throughout the postoperative period. This review provides a practical multimodality approach to imaging evaluation of the transplant liver, highlighting the complementary roles of ultrasound with Doppler, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, multidetector computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and selected nuclear medicine studies. Normal postoperative anatomy and expected imaging findings are reviewed, followed by a review of the characteristic imaging features of common vascular, biliary, and parenchymal complications. The strengths, limitations, and appropriate clinical applications of each imaging modality are discussed to facilitate accurate diagnosis and guide timely management.