A T2* magnetic resonance imaging study of pancreatic iron overload in thalassemia major.

Abstract

We studied the utility of pancreatic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 72 thalassemia major patients (21 diabetic, 51 normoglycemic). Diabetic patients were significantly older (p<0.0001) and had smaller pancreas volume (p<0.0001). The two groups were comparable for ferritin and MRI-T2* heart, liver and pancreas. Pancreatic T2* signals were abnormal in 80% of both groups, and correlated with heart T2*. In normoglycemic patients, cardiac T2* and log-pancreatic T2* values correlated with homeostatic model assessments HOMA-B (beta cell reserve), HOMA-IR (insulin resistance) and fasting insulin/C-peptide levels. This suggested that improved chelation may improve beta cell reserve and prevent pancreatic atrophy.

• Authors: Wing-Yan Au, Wynnie Wai-Man Lam, Winnie Chu, Sidney Tam, Wai-Keng Wong, Raymond Liang, Shau-Yin Ha
• Journal: Haematologica (Haematologica) Vol. 93 Issue 1 Pg. 116-9 (Jan 2008) ISSN: 1592-8721 [Electronic] Italy
• PMID: 18166794 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Chelating Agents
• Ferritins
• Iron

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Chelating Agents (pharmacology)
• Child
• Female
• Ferritins (metabolism)
• Humans
• Iron (metabolism)
• Iron Overload (diagnosis, pathology)
• Liver (metabolism)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (methods)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pancreas (metabolism, pathology)
• beta-Thalassemia (metabolism, pathology)