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Quantitative T2* magnetic resonance imaging for renal iron overload assessment: normal values by age and sex

Emanuele Grassedonio1, Antonella Meloni, Vincenzo Positano

  • 1Istituto di Radiologia, DIBIMED, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.

Abdominal Imaging
|March 13, 2015
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Multiecho gradient-echo T2* magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a feasible and reproducible method for assessing renal iron content. Renal T2* values in healthy individuals are not influenced by age or sex.

Area of Science:

  • Radiology
  • Medical Imaging
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Assessing renal iron content is crucial for diagnosing and managing various kidney diseases.
  • Multiecho gradient-echo (ME-GRE) T2* magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers a non-invasive method to quantify tissue iron.
  • Limited studies have explored the application of ME-GRE T2* MRI for evaluating renal iron deposition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the feasibility and reproducibility of ME-GRE T2* MRI for measuring regional and global renal T2* values.
  • To establish the lower limits of normal for renal T2* values in healthy subjects.
  • To investigate the correlation between renal T2* values and demographic factors like age and sex.

Main Methods:

  • Twenty healthy subjects (13 men, 7 women; age 19-42 years) underwent 1.5 T MRI using an ME-GRE T2* sequence.
  • Renal T2* values were measured in anterior, posterolateral, and posteromedial parenchymal regions for each kidney.
  • Mean kidney T2* values were calculated by averaging the T2* values of both kidneys.

Main Results:

  • Intra- and inter-operator reproducibility for mean kidney T2* values showed coefficients of variation of 1.76% and 6.23%, respectively.
  • The lower limit of normal for mean kidney T2* was determined to be 31 ms (median 51.39 ± 10.09 ms).
  • No significant differences in T2* values were observed between left and right kidneys, nor were significant correlations found with age or sex.

Conclusions:

  • Renal ME-GRE T2* MRI is a feasible and reproducible technique for assessing renal iron.
  • Established lower limits of normal provide a reference for clinical interpretation.
  • Renal T2* values are independent of age and sex in healthy individuals.

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