MRI assessment of changes in liver iron deposition post-venesection

作者：Beddy P^*; McCann J; Ahern M; Norris S; Keogan M

来源：European Journal of Radiology, 2011, 80(2): 204-207.

DOI：10.1016/j.ejrad.2010.05.010

• Abdominal MRI
• Hemochromatosis
• Iron overload
• Liver

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine if changes in hepatic iron content in patients with hemochromatosis pre- and post-venesection could be detected by changes in liver signal intensity with MRI.
Materials and methods: The study was performed with institutional ethics approval and with informed consent. Gradient echo images were performed on 20 patients with hemochromatosis pre-and post-venesection and 10 control subjects: gradient echo T1-weighted in-and out-phases (4.54 (in)/2.27 (out), 167 [TE/TR], Flip 70 degrees) and gradient echo T2* (5/18 [TE/TR], Flip 10 degrees). The liver to muscle signal ratio was compared pre-and post-venesection.
Results: All MRI sequences showed significant correlation between the liver to muscle signal intensity ratio and the serum ferritin pre-venesection [r = -0.70, -0.65, -0.74, -0.72, in/out/T2*r/T2*, respectively]. There was a significant increase on all sequences in the liver to muscle signal intensity ratio post-venesection (p < 0.001). The control group and patients post-venesection had almost identical liver to muscle signal intensity ratios.
Conclusion: The reduction in liver signal intensity caused by iron excess in hemochromatosis returns to normal post-venesection. Measurement of liver to muscle signal intensity ratios may be a useful tool in assessing treatment response in iron overload states.

• 出版日期2011-11