R2* as a surrogate measure of ferriscan iron quantification in thalassemia

PURPOSE: To determine whether R2* values are a consistent predictor of hepatic iron concentration (HIC) in thalassemia patients by demonstrating a correlation between R2* relaxation rates and FerriScan-determined HIC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-eight patients with thalassemia major were retrospectively evaluated. All patients underwent FerriScan imaging and multiecho gradient echo imaging. The results from FerriScan analysis were fitted against R2* estimates using linear regression. RESULTS: There was a very strong linear correlation between R2* values and FerriScan-determined HIC (Spearman correlation of 0.976; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.963, 0.984). CONCLUSION: R2* values can predict HIC determined by FerriScan using a linear calibration curve. This technique may provide a potentially cost-saving alternative for hepatic iron determination and improve acceptance by referring physicians.