Biliary tract variants in potential right lobe living donors for liver transplantation: Evaluation with MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)

Living donor liver transplantation is increasingly being used to help compensate for the increasing shortage of cadaveric liver grafts. However, the extreme variability of the hepatic vascular and biliary systems can impede this surgical procedure. The aim of the study is to demonstrate the role of MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in the evaluation of anatomical biliary variants in potential living donors for liver transplantation.MethodsThe study included 20 liver donors in pre-operative assessment before liver transplantation. MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) was performed for all donors.ResultsThe study included 20 donors (16 men and 4 women) ranging in age from 29 to 52 years. 16 (80%) donors demonstrate normal biliary branching anatomy. One donor has trifurcation biliary branching pattern (5%). Two donors have their right posterior ducts draining into the left hepatic duct (10%). One donor has low insertion of the right posterior duct into the main duct (5%).ConclusionMR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) provides important information in evaluation of potential living donors for liver transplantation.