M J Kim1, D G Mitchell, K Ito, H W Hann, Y N Park, P N Kim. 1. Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 1096 Main Building, 132 S 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
Abstract
BACKGROUND: To evaluate the relationship between magnetic resonance (MR) imaging grading of iron deposition and serial serum ferritin concentration in patients with chronic viral liver diseases. METHODS: In 80 patients with viral hepatitis and cirrhosis, MR images including T2*-weighted gradient echo images (echo time > or = 6.5 ms) were reviewed. The grades of parenchymal iron deposition and iron-containing nodules in the liver and spleen and the liver-to-muscle and spleen-to-muscle signal intensity ratios were compared with the most recent, the mean, the lowest, and the highest values from all available serum ferritin levels. RESULTS: The serum ferritin concentration was significantly correlated with the grades of iron deposition in liver and spleen and with the grades of iron-containing nodules seen on MR images (p < 0.05). Liver-to-muscle signal intensity ratio was weakly correlated with the ferritin concentrations. Among categories of ferritin concentration, correlation with MR grades was highest for mean ferritin concentration (r = 0.487, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: MR imaging grades of hepatic iron and siderotic nodules correlate with serum ferritin, especially with the mean levels.
BACKGROUND: To evaluate the relationship between magnetic resonance (MR) imaging grading of iron deposition and serial serum ferritin concentration in patients with chronic viral liver diseases. METHODS: In 80 patients with viral hepatitis and cirrhosis, MR images including T2*-weighted gradient echo images (echo time > or = 6.5 ms) were reviewed. The grades of parenchymal iron deposition and iron-containing nodules in the liver and spleen and the liver-to-muscle and spleen-to-muscle signal intensity ratios were compared with the most recent, the mean, the lowest, and the highest values from all available serum ferritin levels. RESULTS: The serum ferritin concentration was significantly correlated with the grades of iron deposition in liver and spleen and with the grades of iron-containing nodules seen on MR images (p < 0.05). Liver-to-muscle signal intensity ratio was weakly correlated with the ferritin concentrations. Among categories of ferritin concentration, correlation with MR grades was highest for mean ferritin concentration (r = 0.487, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: MR imaging grades of hepatic iron and siderotic nodules correlate with serum ferritin, especially with the mean levels.
Authors: Agustin Castiella; Jose M Alústiza; Jose I Emparanza; Eva Ma Zapata; Belen Costero; Maria I Díez Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2010-08-06 Impact factor: 5.315