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Published on: February 27, 2011
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Neonatal Hemochromatosis
Khaled Alenezi1, Binita M Kamath2,3, Iram Siddiqui4,3
1Department of Diagnostic Imaging.
Background:
There are limited data on utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the assessment of suspected neonatal hemochromatosis (NH).
Objectives:
The aim of the study was to present our experience with utilization of multi-echo sequence MRI technique in the evaluation of NH and to compare MRI findings in infants with and without NH.
Methods:
MRI performed for suspected NH were retrospectively reviewed to note the presence and severity of iron deposition (ID) in liver, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys on multi-echo sequences. Findings were compared in infants with and without NH.
Results:
Of 20 infants (9 boys and 11 girls; median age of 12.5 days) included in the study, 7 of 20 had NH and 13 of 20 were assigned to the non-NH group. Higher degree of pancreatic ID was seen in the NH group (P = 0.001) with 4 of 7 evaluable pancreas showing moderate-to-severe degree and 1 of 7 showing mild degree of ID whereas none of the 13 infants in non-NH group showed moderate or severe degree of pancreatic ID. Even though the severity of hepatic ID was higher in NH group (P = 0.033), variable severity of hepatic ID was seen in both groups with most infants in both groups showing moderate-to-severe degree of ID. The severity of splenic ID was not particularly associated with any group (P = 0.774) but there was no moderate or severe degree of ID in NH. Renal ID was seen in two infants in non-NH group.
Conclusions:
A moderate-to-severe degree of pancreatic ID seen on MRI tends to be associated with NH and should be sought to establish a timely diagnosis of NH. Presence and severity of hepatic ID cannot be used for differentiation of NH from other causes of neonatal liver failure.
Insights
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help diagnose neonatal hemochromatosis (NH) by detecting pancreatic iron deposition. However, liver iron deposition on MRI is not specific for NH diagnosis in infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Radiology
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
Background:
- Limited data exist on the utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for diagnosing suspected neonatal hemochromatosis (NH).
- Neonatal hemochromatosis is a severe condition characterized by excessive iron deposition in organs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of multi-echo sequence MRI in assessing NH.
- To compare MRI findings of iron deposition in infants with and without NH.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of MRI scans in infants with suspected NH.
- Assessment of iron deposition (ID) in the liver, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys using multi-echo MRI sequences.
- Comparison of MRI findings between infants diagnosed with NH and those without NH.
Main Results:
- Infants with NH showed a higher degree of pancreatic iron deposition compared to the non-NH group (P=0.001).
- While hepatic iron deposition was more severe in the NH group (P=0.033), it was also present in varying degrees in the non-NH group.
- Splenic and renal iron deposition did not show a significant association with NH.
Conclusions:
- Moderate-to-severe pancreatic iron deposition on MRI is a potential indicator for diagnosing NH.
- MRI findings of hepatic iron deposition are not sufficient to differentiate NH from other causes of neonatal liver failure.
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