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 live r and blood due to hepatic cirrhosis), The aim of this study was to follow possible recovery after liver transplantation by MR relaxometry. Together w ith a group of 20 healthy volunteers we scanned 53 patients before and afte r 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 timewas shortened by approx. 20-25% compared to the control gr oup, probably the result of manganese deposition in the brain caused by hep atic cirrhosis. After liver transplantation the relaxation time recovered g radually 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 whit e matter T-2 remained low even 2 years after surgery. (C) 2001 Elsevier Sci ence B.V. All rights reserved.