Regional and global pancreatic T*₂ MRI for iron overload assessment in a large cohort of healthy subjects: Normal values and correlation with age and gender

Abstract

Multiecho gradient‐echo T*2 magnetic resonance imaging is a well‐established technique for iron overload assessment but there are few reports concerning the pancreas. The aim of this work was to assess the feasibility and reproducibility of the magnetic resonance imaging for measuring pancreatic regional and global T*2 values, to establish the lower limit of normal in a large cohort of healthy subjects and to correlate the measured values with age and gender. One hundred and twenty healthy subjects (61 males, 51 ± 17 years) underwent magnetic resonance imaging (1.5T) using a multiecho gradient‐echo T*2 sequence. T*2 measurements were performed in pancreatic head, body, and tail. The global value was calculated as the mean. Measurement of pancreatic T*2 values was feasible in all subjects. For the T*2 global value the coefficient of variation for intraoperator and interoperator reproducibility were 7.7% and 13%, respectively. The global T*2 values ranged from 24 to 52 ms with the lower limit of normal of 26 ms. There were no significant differences among the regional pancreatic T*2 values. No significant correlation was found between T*2 and patient age or gender. In conclusion, pancreatic T*2 measurements appear to be feasible, reproducible, nontime‐consuming and reliable. Gender‐ and age‐related differences concerning pancreatic T*2 were not found. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Serum ferritin levels and endocrinopathy in medically treated patients with β thalassemia major

“…Hepatic (R2 and T2*) and cardiac (T2*) MRI relaxation time techniques have been calibrated against biopsy specimens, and results achieved international reproducibility [29][30][31][32][33]. MRI evaluation of iron content for some endocrine glands, mainly the pancreas and pituitary, also appears to be feasible [34][35][36][37][38]. However, MRI techniques are not always available, especially in developing countries with limited health care resources, where serum ferritin measurement is the only available option.…”

“…However, MRI techniques are not always available, especially in developing countries with limited health care resources, where serum ferritin measurement is the only available option. Results on the relationship between serum ferritin levels and MRIderived iron content in target organs are either lacking or conflicting [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38]. Evaluation of the utility of serial ferritin measurement, as well as specific markers of dysfunction, to predict tissue iron content and morbidity remains essential.…”

Pancreatic Functions in Adolescents with Beta Thalassemia Major Could Predict Cardiac and Hepatic Iron Loading: Relation to T2-Star (T2*) Magnetic Resonance Imaging

“…Today, it is possible to directly quantify the pancreatic iron burden using the pancreatic regional and global T2* MRI technique,14 15 but no data are available in the current study. The objective of this study was to evaluate cardiac and hepatic iron overload using a non-invasive T2-star MRI (MRI T2*) in young transfusion dependent β-TM patients and to correlate it with glucose disturbances, exocrine pancreatic functions, markers of insulin resistance and iron overload.…”

High Spatial Resolution and Temporally Resolved T2* Mapping of Normal Human Myocardium at 7.0 Tesla: An Ultrahigh Field Magnetic Resonance Feasibility Study

“…Unlike conventional CINE gradient echo imaging, the relatively strong T 2 * -weighting required to make gradient echo sequences sensitive to changes in magnetic susceptibility asks for a long evolution time (TE) between RF excitation and data acquisition. Consequently, gradient echo based myocardial T 2 * mapping is commonly restricted to a single slice and single cardiac phase that can be accommodated in a single breath-hold at 1.5 T and 3.0 T [30]–[32].…”