[Compartment analysis in the diagnosis of iron metabolism disorders]

The principle of the ferrokinetics according to the catenary model and to the multilocular system of Pollycove and Mortimer is described in short. The most important results of the investigation of the iron metabolism of 15 patients with chronic myelosis, 31 with osteomyelofibrosis and 68 with chronic liver diseases according to the catenary model are reported. According to the multicompartment model the ferrokinetic investigations of 18 patients with chronic liver disease as well as of one patient each with chronic myelosis and panmyelopathy were evaluated. An increased depot iron metabolism and a decreased effective erythropoiesis could particularly clearly stated in the latter patient. The statements to various parameters according to the two model demonstrations are compared.