title: High pallidal T1 signal is rarely observed in obstructive jaundice, but is frequently observed in liver cirrhosis.
abstract: Although high signal intensities in the globus pallidus are frequently observed in T1-weighted magnetic resonance images (MRI) of patients with liver cirrhosis, it is unclear whether these increases are due to portal-systemic shunt or obstruction of biliary excretion. We therefore studied pallidal signals in 18 cancer patients with bile duct obstruction and marked jaundice (>10 mg/dl). Patients who had fever, leukocytosis or liver cirrhosis were excluded to ensure that jaundice was due to bile duct obstruction. All patients showed a dilated intrahepatic duct on computed tomography (CT) scan. A high pallidal signal was observed in one of 18 biliary obstructive patients whereas high signals were highly prevalent in liver cirrhosis. A portal-systemic shunt rather than an obstruction of biliary excretion may be responsible for the increased blood manganese concentrations and pallidal T1 signals in chronic liver diseases.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, South Korea.
authors: Sung-Jo
authors: SJ
authors: Bang
authors: Seong Hoon
authors: SH
authors: Choi
authors: Neung Hwa
authors: NH
authors: Park
authors: Jung Woo
authors: JW
authors: Shin
authors: Nari
authors: N
authors: Choy
authors: Suk Hwan
authors: SH
authors: Kim
authors: Yangho
authors: Y
authors: Kim
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004067:Digestive System Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005917:Globus Pallidus / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D041781:Jaundice, Obstructive / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008345:Manganese / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D008345:Manganese