Neurologic Spectrum of Chronic Liver Failure and Basal Ganglia T1 Hyperintensity on Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

Parkinsonism has been recognized as a unique neurologic complication of chronic liver failure.^1-5 It is suggested that this form of parkinsonism may be distinguished from idiopathic Parkinson disease (PD) by early gait and balance dysfunction, relative absence of resting tremor, characteristically increased T1 signal in the basal ganglia on brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and elevated serum manganese levels.^1-5 Some,^2,5 but not all,¹ have reported a poor response to levodopa therapy.