Hepatic Iron Calculation on MRI Scan

Not only for Hereditary Hemochromatosis, but also for Secondary Hemochromatosis or Hemosiderosis, the iron concentration in the liver is the key parameter to conclusively diagnose iron overload, as well as to evaluate the need of a treatment.
The Osatek-SEDIA calculation model was validated in 2004 (1) and, since then, it has proved to be accurate for different iron overload levels. Like all signal intensity ratio methods, this one saturates with overload levels higher than 250micromoles Fe/g. It always recognizes the high overload, even though it loses precision within this range
(Figure 1).

This method is very simple and can be realized in all 1.5 teslas RM machines, with high reproducibility among different centers (2). A very important detail is that the acquisition of two gradient-echo sequences MUST NEVER BE DONE USING A SURFACE COIL. The acquisition of the two calculation model sequences MUST ALWAYS BE DONE WITH THE “Q-BODY” COIL INCORPORATED IN THE GANTRY The surface coil can be placed over the patient, but NEVER ACTIVATED.

This method provides a phantom to calibrate different machines and be able to certify its reproducibility on each machine (2). In Spain, 67 1.5 teslas machines from 59 centers have been calibrated until 2017 (see the list of calibrated centers). The phantom is free of charge and available for any MRI Center upon request (please contact jmalustiza@osatek.eus).

This method cannot be used in MRI machines with other magnetic field intensities than 1.5 teslas.

Several work pieces have proven that Osatek-SEDIA is the most precise Signal Intensity Ratio method (3-5).