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 ≥ 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.
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Received: 9 May 2000/Accepted: 28 June 2000
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Kim, MJ., Mitchell, D., Ito, K. et al. Hepatic iron deposition on MR imaging in patients with chronic liver disease: correlation with serial serum ferritin concentration. Abdom Imaging 26, 149–156 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002610000121
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002610000121