Magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of iron overload: a comparison of MRI, echocardiography and serum ferritin level in patients with β-thalassemia major

PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate iron levels in cardiac and hepatic tissues using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2⁎.MethodsCardiac and hepatic MRI was performed for 93 patients with β-thalassemia major.ResultsCardiac T2⁎ was in the range of 2.9–56.6 ms. Myocardial siderosis was detected in 44% of patients; 25 patients had moderate and severe siderosis with serum ferritin level (SFL) of 576–10,284 ng/ml. There was a significant correlation between SFL and cardiac T2⁎ (p<.001).ConclusionsThe effective role of MRI as a noninvasive producible method in measurement of iron concentration in tissues is not accessible with conventional techniques.