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01-08-2007 | Magnetic Resonance

Bone marrow changes in beta-thalassemia major: quantitative MR imaging findings and correlation with iron stores

Authors: Eleni E. Drakonaki, Thomas G. Maris, Alex Papadakis, Apostolos H. Karantanas

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 8/2007

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to describe the MR imaging features of bone marrow in beta-thalassemia major and investigate their relation to ferritin, liver and spleen siderosis. Spinal bone marrow was prospectively assessed on abdominal MR studies of 40 transfused beta-thalassemic patients and 15 controls using T1-w, Pd, T2*-w Gradient Echo (GRE) and T1-w turbo Spin Echo (TSE) sequences. Signal intensity (SI) ratios of liver, spleen and bone marrow to paraspinous muscles (L/M, S/M, B/M respectively) and the respective T2 relaxation rates (1/T2) were calculated. Serum ferritin levels were recorded. Bone marrow hypointensity in at least T2*-w GRE sequence was noted in 29/40 (72.5%) patients. Eleven/40 patients exhibited normal B/M on all MR sequences. Five/40 patients had normal B/M and low L/M. B/M correlated with L/M in T1-w TSE sequence only (r = 0.471, p = 0.05). B/M correlated with S/M and mean ferritin values in all sequences (r > 0.489, p < 0.01 and r > − 0.496, p < 0.03 respectively). Marrow 1/T2 did not correlate with ferritin values or liver and spleen 1/T2. B/M in transfused beta-thalassemic patients is related to splenic siderosis and ferritin levels. Although marrow is usually hypointense, it may occasionally display normal SI coexisting with liver hypointensity, a pattern typical of primary hemochromatosis.

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Title: Bone marrow changes in beta-thalassemia major: quantitative MR imaging findings and correlation with iron stores
Authors: Eleni E. Drakonaki
Thomas G. Maris
Alex Papadakis
Apostolos H. Karantanas
Publication date: 01-08-2007
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 8/2007
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-006-0504-y

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Bone marrow changes in beta-thalassemia major: quantitative MR imaging findings and correlation with iron stores

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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