Evaluation of Neurological Complications in Pediatric Liver Transplant Recipients: MRI Versus CT

Abstract

With the aim of guiding choice of the best imaging modality for specific clinical conditions, we retrospectively evaluated neuroradiological findings in pediatric liver transplant recipients with neurological complications. Computed tomography (CT) was used to examine 31 patients with acute neurological symptoms after liver transplantation, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used for 35 such patients. A total of 16 patients belonged to both groups. Headache was the most common symptom in patients with computed tomography; seizure was most common among patients with magnetic resonance imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging detected additional abnormalities in 5 patients presenting with seizures whose computed tomography results were normal or insufficient to explain the clinical picture. In conclusion, liver transplant recipients with seizure should undergo magnetic resonance imaging emergently when possible; omitting computed tomography. Choice of imaging modality should be directed by nature of symptoms and time interval between transplantation and symptom onset.