Z I Hasiloglu1, M Asik2, E Ure2, F Ertem3, H Apak4, S Albayram2. 1. Department of Radiology, Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Kocamustafapasa, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: zhasiloglu@gmail.com. 2. Department of Radiology, Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Kocamustafapasa, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey. 3. Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical School, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey. 4. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Haematology, Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Kocamustafapasa, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey.
Abstract
AIM: To assess iron accumulation in the choroid plexus of β-thalassaemia patients using fast spin echo (FSE) T2-weighted, gradient echo (GRE) T2*-weighted, susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) and compare the results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia and the control group underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations. Signal intensities were separately evaluated using a "number of hypointensity in the choroid plexus" (NHICP) grading system on axial FSE T2-weighted, GRE T2*-weighted, and SWI images. The NHICP grading system scores were compared using the chi-squared test. Spearman's correlation analysis was used to explore relationships between the variables and NHICP grading system scores. RESULTS: The sensitivity of each technique was calculated: FSE T2-weighted imaging=0.17, GRE T2*-weighted imaging=0.48, and SWI=0.81. Three-sample test for equality of proportions showed that chi-squared=74.85, df=2, p<0.0001. All of the FSE T2-weighted, GRE T2*-weighted, and SWI images differed significantly in terms of their capacity to reveal iron accumulation in the choroid plexus. Of the three methods, SWI was the most sensitive. CONCLUSIONS: SWI is useful for revealing iron deposition in the brains of β-thalassaemia patients, especially those in the early stages of disease, and it can be used to predict disease prognosis. The present study contributes to an understanding of the important role played by the choroid plexus in brain iron metabolism.
AIM: To assess iron accumulation in the choroid plexus of β-thalassaemia patients using fast spin echo (FSE) T2-weighted, gradient echo (GRE) T2*-weighted, susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) and compare the results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia and the control group underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations. Signal intensities were separately evaluated using a "number of hypointensity in the choroid plexus" (NHICP) grading system on axial FSE T2-weighted, GRE T2*-weighted, and SWI images. The NHICP grading system scores were compared using the chi-squared test. Spearman's correlation analysis was used to explore relationships between the variables and NHICP grading system scores. RESULTS: The sensitivity of each technique was calculated: FSE T2-weighted imaging=0.17, GRE T2*-weighted imaging=0.48, and SWI=0.81. Three-sample test for equality of proportions showed that chi-squared=74.85, df=2, p<0.0001. All of the FSE T2-weighted, GRE T2*-weighted, and SWI images differed significantly in terms of their capacity to reveal iron accumulation in the choroid plexus. Of the three methods, SWI was the most sensitive. CONCLUSIONS: SWI is useful for revealing iron deposition in the brains of β-thalassaemia patients, especially those in the early stages of disease, and it can be used to predict disease prognosis. The present study contributes to an understanding of the important role played by the choroid plexus in brain iron metabolism.