T2*-ADC Comparison in Liver Iron Quantification in Thalassemia Patients

Authors : Ibrahim Yeniçeri, Bünyamin Güney, Fatih Mehmet Azık, Neşat Çullu, Volkan Karakuş

Pages : 26-30

Doi:10.38175/phnx.1290224

View : 40 | Download : 85

Publication Date : 2024-03-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: Repetitive transfusion is a treatment option in patients with thalassemia, but this causes iron accumulation in various organs, especially the liver. In this study, it is aimed to present our own experience in the correlation of serum ferritin concentrations with liver T2* MR measurements and ADC values in thalassemia patients. Materials and methods: Seventy-four consecutive patients who underwent T2* MR examination of the liver due to beta thalassemia were included in the study. Liver T2* and ADC measurements and ferritin measurements of the patients included in the study were compared. MRI examination was performed with 3T scanner. Multiecho gradient echo was used for T2* MRI examinations. T2* and ADC measurements were made from 4 different regions of the liver, one each from the medial and lateral segments of the left lobe and one each from the anterior and posterior segments of the right lobe. Spaerman correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation between serum ferritin levels and R2* and ADC measurements. Results: Thirty-two patients (43.24%) were female and and forty-two (56.76%) were male. There was moderate correlation between serum ferritin and liver T2* measurements (r= -0.52 p<0.01). The highest T2 value was measured in the left lobe medial segment of the liver as 7.85 ms and the lowest was measured in the right lobe posterior segment of the liver as 6.5 ms. There was weak correlation between serum ferritin and ADC (r= -0.41, p<0.01). The highest ADC value was measured in the left lobe medial segment of the liver as 908.90 mm2/s and the lowest was measured in the right lobe anterior segment of the liver as 766.78. There was a moderate-high correlation between liver T2* measurements and ADC measurements. This correlation was higher than the correlation between serum ferritin and liver T2* measurements. Conclusion: Correlations between the serum ferritin measurements and both ADC and T2* measurements are lower than those found with 1.5T in the literature. The correlation of ADC with serum ferritin is lower than the correlation between serum ferritin and T2*MR, so we do not think ADC is as useful as T2* measurements in assessing liver iron accumulationin in thalassemia patients.
Keywords : T2 MRI, ADC, demir yüklü karaciğer