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Published on: March 24, 2023
MRI assessment of changes in liver iron deposition post-venesection
1Department of Radiology, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK. pbeddy@eircom.net
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°) and gradient echo T2* (5/18 [TE/TR], Flip 10°). 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.
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