Imaging in whole organ pancreatic transplants and a multimodality review of its complications

Abstract

This pictorial review will describe the normal anatomy of whole organ pancreatic transplants and the common surgical variants with which the radiologist should be familiar. Complications may be divided into (1) vascular: Arterial occlusion and stenosis, venous thrombosis, pseudoaneurysms and arteriovenous fistulae, (2) parenchymal complications such as pancreatitis and the variety of peripancreatic collections, and (3) enteric complications including leak and fistula formation. The radiologist plays a crucial role in the initial assessment of graft anatomy and perfusion, prompt diagnosis, and increasingly, in the management of complications.