Abstract: Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the computed tomography angiography (CTA) and ultrasonography in evaluation of vascular anatomic variation and lumen patency in patients undergoing liver transplantation(LT). Methods 138 patients receiving LT were admitted to our hospital between May 2014 and May 2020, and before operation, all patients underwent three-stage CT enhancement scan, CTA post-processing vascular reconstruction and ultrasonography. The hepatic artery, portal vein, hepatic vein and inferior vena cava, as well as collateral circulation were observed. Results Among 138 patients, CTA showed that 107 (77.5%) had hepatic artery of Michels type I and 31 (22.5%) had hepatic artery anatomic variation; there was no stenosis or abnormal dilatation of the hepatic artery lumen, and only one case (0.7%) had splenic aneurysm; the intraoperative observation of hepatic artery was consistent with preoperative CTA assessment in 136 patients; the sensitivity and accuracy by CTA in the diagnosis of portal thrombus and tumor thrombus were 83.3% and 68.6%, while those by ultrasonography were 58.3% (P<0.05)and 60.0%; both the accuracy by ultrasonography and CTA in diagnosing the patency of hepatic vein and inferior vena cava was 99.3%. Conclusion As compared with ultrasonography, the CTA could accurately evaluate the anatomic variation of hepatic artery and portal vein thrombosis, and could clearly show the opening of collateral circulation of portal vein before LT.

Key words: Liver transplantation, Vascular anatomic variation, Computed tomography angiography, Ultrasonography, Diagnosis