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Insights into Imaging
Published in: Insights into Imaging 2/2012

Open Access 01-04-2012 | Review

Quantification of iron concentration in the liver by MRI

Authors: José María Alústiza Echeverría, Agustín Castiella, José Ignacio Emparanza

Published in: Insights into Imaging | Issue 2/2012

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Abstract

Objective

Measurement of liver iron concentration is a key parameter for the management of patients with primary and secondary haemochromatosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has already demonstrated high accuracy to quantify liver iron content. To be able to improve the current management of patients that are found to have iron overload, we need a reproducible, standardised method that is, or can easily be made, widely available.

Methods

This article discusses the different MRI techniques and models to quantify liver iron concentration that are currently available and envisaged for the near future from a realistic perspective.

Results

T2 relaxometry methods are more accurate than signal intensity ratio (SIR) methods and they are reproducible but are not yet standardised or widely available. SIR methods, on the other hand, are very specific for all levels of iron overload and, what is more, they are also reproducible, standardised and already widely available.

Conclusions

For these reasons, today, both methods remain necessary while progress is made towards universal standardisation of the relaxometry technique.
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Metadata
Title
Quantification of iron concentration in the liver by MRI
Authors
José María Alústiza Echeverría
Agustín Castiella
José Ignacio Emparanza
Publication date
01-04-2012
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Insights into Imaging / Issue 2/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1869-4101
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13244-011-0132-1

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