Open AccessHigh Pallidal T1 Signal is Rarely Observed in Obstructive Jaundice, but is Frequently Observed in Liver Cirrhosis
Author(s) -
Bang SungJo,
Choi Seong Hoon,
Park Neung Hwa,
Shin Jung Woo,
Choy Nari,
Kim Suk Hwan,
Kim Yangho
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of occupational health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 1348-9585
DOI - 10.1539/joh.49.268
Subject(s) - cirrhosis , obstructive jaundice , medicine , gastroenterology , jaundice
High Pallidal T1 Signal is Rarely Observed in Obstructive Jaundice, but is Frequently Observed in Liver Cirrhosis: Sung‐Jo B ang , et al . Department of Internal Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, South Korea —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.