Room-temperature susceptometry predicts biopsy-determined hepatic iron in patients with elevated serum ferritin

Journal Title: Annals of Hepatology - Year 2012, Vol 11, Issue 1

Abstract

Background. There is an ongoing clinical need for novel methods to measure hepatic iron content (HIC) noninvasively. Both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) methods have previously shown promise for estimation of HIC, but these methods can be expensive and are not widely available. Room-temperature susceptometry (RTS) represents an inexpensive alternative and was previously found to be strongly correlated with HIC estimated by SQUID measurements among patients with transfusional iron overload related to thalassemia. Aim. The goal of the current study was to examine the relationship between RTS and biochemical HIC measured in liver biopsy specimens in a more varied patient cohort. Material and methods. Susceptometry was performed in a diverse group of patients with hyperferritinemia due to hereditary hemochromatosis (HHC) (n = 2), secondary iron overload (n = 3), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (n = 2), and chronic viral hepatitis (n = 3) within one month of liver biopsy in the absence of iron depletion therapy. Results. The correlation coefficient between HIC estimated by susceptometry and by biochemical iron measurement in liver tissue was 0.71 (p = 0.022). Variance between liver iron measurement and susceptometry measurement was primarily related to reliance on the patient’s body-mass index (BMI) to estimate the magnetic susceptibility of tissue overlying the liver. Conclusions. We believe RTS holds promise for noninvasive measurement of HIC. Improved measurement techniques, including more accurate overlayer correction, may further improve the accuracy of liver susceptometry in patients with liver disease.

Authors and Affiliations

Bryan Maliken, William Avrin, James Nelson, Jody Mooney, Sankaran Kumar, Kris Kowdley

Keywords

Related Articles

Platelet count/spleen diameter ratio for non-invasive prediction of high risk esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients

Background and objective. Prophylaxis therapy is indicated in cirrhotic patients with large esophageal varices or small varices with red wale signs (high risk esophageal varices; HREV). Endoscopic surveillance to detect...

The efficacy and safety of nucleos(t)ide analogues in the treatment of HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure: a meta-analysis

[b]Background and purpose[/b]. The application of nucleos(t)ide analogues in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) has not yet been widely accepted. Therefore, we conducted a metaanalysis...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP78102
  • DOI -
  • Views 158
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Bryan Maliken, William Avrin, James Nelson, Jody Mooney, Sankaran Kumar, Kris Kowdley (2012). Room-temperature susceptometry predicts biopsy-determined hepatic iron in patients with elevated serum ferritin. Annals of Hepatology, 11(1), 77-84. https://www.europub.co.uk/articles/-A-78102