Larrubia J R, Mendoza J L, Pérez de la Serna J A, Ruiz de León A, Méndez R, Díaz-Rubio M
Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario Clínico San Carlos, Universidad Complutense, Madrid.
An Med Interna. 2000 Aug;17(8):419-21.
Hemochromatosis is a disorder of parenchymal iron overload. The diagnosis is based upon clinical manifestations, laboratory findings and iron concentration in liver. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows a decrease in liver signal intensity. Its role has not been already defined. Nonetheless, ratio of liver to muscle proton density (LMPD) shows a significant correlation with hepatic iron. One patient with a long-standing cirrhosis with data of hemochromatosis whose coagulation study did not allow to perform a liver biopsy was diagnosed with this method. Hepatic iron concentration was calculated based upon: microgram/g of hepatic iron = (-5.174* LMPD) + 9.932. MRI can be useful in the evaluation of hemochromatosis among patients who refuse or have contraindication to liver biopsy.
