Reversible Parkinsonism and T1W pallidal hyperintensities in acute liver failure

Abstract

We report on a young woman who survived acute liver failure (ALF) without liver transplant. During the ALF, she developed a disabling, levodopa-unresponsive, symmetrical Parkinsonism. This was characterized by severe bradykinesia, mild rigidity, mutism, and prominent gait impairment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed bilateral T1W pallidal hyperintensities. Parkinsonism and MRI changes remitted in parallel with normalization of hepatic function. We implicate excessive pallidal manganese deposition secondary to ALF in the pathogenesis of this neuroradiological syndrome. Though hitherto unreported, we propose that Parkinsonism with T1W pallidal hyperintensities may not be uncommon in ALF.