Quantitative T2* imaging of iron overload in a non-dedicated center - Normal variation, repeatability and reader...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Radiology
• Hematology

Background:

• Transfusion-dependent anemia poses risks of iron overload complications.
• Quantitative T2* magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is crucial for non-invasive assessment of liver and cardiac iron deposition.
• T2* MRI guides chelation therapy in at-risk patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate image quality and inter-observer variability in myocardial and liver T2* measurements.
• To determine the lower limits of cardiac and hepatic quantitative T2* values in patients without iron overload suspicion.
• To establish reference ranges for T2* values in the myocardium and liver.

Main Methods:

• 38 patients underwent cardiac MRI, with 35 serving as a reference group without iron overload suspicion.
• Quantitative T2* parametric maps were acquired using a 1.5 T MRI system.
• Two independent readers assessed image quality and T2* values in the myocardium and liver.

Main Results:

• Normal myocardial T2* range: 24-45 ms; normal hepatic T2* range: 14-37 ms.
• No participants in the reference group had T2* values below established lower limits (myocardium 20 ms, liver 8 ms).
• Good image quality was generally reported by both readers.

Conclusions:

• T2* imaging for iron overload assessment is feasible in non-dedicated centers.
• Sufficient image quality is achievable for reliable T2* measurements.
• The study provides reference ranges for T2* values, aiding in iron overload diagnosis.