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Normalization of T2 signal abnormalities in hemispheric white matter with liver transplant
A Rovira1, J Córdoba, F Sanpedro
1Magnetic Resonance Unit (IDI), Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain. alex.rovira@idi-cat.org
Objective:
To determine whether edema can be assessed by MRI using T2-weighted signal intensity of hemispheric white matter in cirrhotic patients.
Methods:
Fast-FLAIR and magnetization transfer images were obtained before (24) and after (11) liver transplantation. T2-weighted abnormalities on baseline scans and their time-course changes were analyzed and compared with MT ratios (MTR).
Results:
Fast-FLAIR baseline images showed faint to substantial, bilateral, symmetric increased signal intensity along the hemispheric white matter in or around the corticospinal tract in 23/24 patients. After liver transplantation the signal abnormalities gradually recovered. This gradual decrease in signal intensity correlated with an increase in MTR values.
Conclusion:
Asymptomatic symmetric high-signal intensity in the hemispheric white matter on fast-FLAIR MR images is present in cirrhosis. Normalization of this finding after successful liver transplantation and its correlation with MTR values suggest that this signal abnormality reflects mild edema.
