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Hepatic iron deposition on magnetic resonance imaging: correlation with inflammatory activity
Myeong-Jin Kim1, Donald G Mitchell, Katsuyoshi Ito
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Research Institute of Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seodaemun-ku Shinchon-dong 134, Seoul, Republic of Korea 120-752. kimnex@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr
Purposes:
To define the relation between pathologic inflammatory activity and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) grades of iron deposition in patients with liver cirrhosis.
Patients And Methods:
In 53 patients with biopsy-proven liver cirrhosis, T2*-weighted gradient echo MRI (echo time > or =6 milliseconds) was reviewed. Grading of parenchymal iron deposition and siderotic nodules in the liver and liver-to-skeletal muscle signal intensity ratios were compared with pathologically defined inflammatory activity.
Results:
The MRI grade of hepatic siderotic nodules correlated significantly with the grade of periportal inflammation (r = 0.301, P < 0.05) but not with the grade of piecemeal necrosis. The grade of parenchymal iron deposition was not correlated with the grade of periportal inflammation or piecemeal necrosis. There was a nonsignificant trend toward correlation between the histologic grade of hepatic iron content and the grades of periportal inflammation and piecemeal necrosis.
Conclusion:
MRI grading of siderotic nodules correlates with inflammatory activity in cirrhotic patients.
Insights
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of siderotic nodules shows a link to liver inflammation in cirrhosis patients. This imaging technique may help assess disease activity in the liver.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Radiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Liver cirrhosis is characterized by chronic inflammation and fibrosis.
- Iron deposition is common in cirrhotic livers and may influence disease progression.
- Non-invasive imaging methods are needed to assess liver inflammation and iron content.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between pathologic inflammatory activity and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) grades of iron deposition in patients with liver cirrhosis.
- To determine if MRI can accurately reflect the degree of inflammation in the cirrhotic liver.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-three patients with biopsy-proven liver cirrhosis underwent T2*-weighted gradient echo MRI.
- MRI assessed parenchymal iron deposition and siderotic nodules.
- Grades of iron deposition were compared with pathologically defined inflammatory activity (periportal inflammation and piecemeal necrosis).
Main Results:
- MRI grading of hepatic siderotic nodules significantly correlated with the grade of periportal inflammation (r = 0.301, P < 0.05).
- No significant correlation was found between MRI parenchymal iron deposition grade and inflammatory grades.
- A nonsignificant trend suggested a correlation between histologic hepatic iron content and inflammation.
Conclusions:
- MRI grading of siderotic nodules is a valuable tool for assessing inflammatory activity in cirrhotic patients.
- MRI may provide a non-invasive method to evaluate liver inflammation associated with iron deposition in cirrhosis.