Normalization of T2 signal abnormalities in hemispheric white matter with liver transplant.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Rovira
A
A
Magnetic 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
Córdoba
J
J
Sanpedro
F
F
Grivé
E
E
Rovira-Gols
A
A
Alonso
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011712:Pyramidal Tracts / Q000473:pathology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013687:Telencephalon / Q000473:pathology*