Chronic liver disease: relaxometry in the brain after liver transplantation

Relaxometry revealed changes in the basal ganglia in T(1) and T(2) relaxation times due to liver disease. Manganese is probably responsible for T(1) and T(2) shortening (as the concentration is known to be higher in both the liver and blood due to hepatic cirrhosis). The aim of this study was to follow possible recovery after liver transplantation by MR relaxometry. Together with a group of 20 healthy volunteers we scanned 53 patients before and after liver transplantation (some of them repeatedly). Both T(1) and T(2) values were evaluated in the basal ganglia, thalamus, and frontal white matter. T(1) relaxation time was shortened by approx. 20-25% compared to the control group, probably the result of manganese deposition in the brain caused by hepatic cirrhosis. After liver transplantation the relaxation time recovered gradually with almost normal values reached approx. 2 years after surgery. T(1) recovery was observed in all evaluated structures. Similar results were observed with T(2) relaxation in the basal ganglia and thalamus. In the white matter T(2) remained low even 2 years after surgery.