eMedicine Specialties > Radiology > Gastrointestinal

Hemochromatosis: Multimedia

Author: Sandor Joffe, MD, Section Chief of Abdominal Imaging, Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Medical Center
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: May 8, 2009

Multimedia

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Media file 1: T2-weighted gradient echo axial image in a patient with hemochromatosis demonstrates diffuse abnormal low signal intensity of the liver. The pancreas and spleen appear normal.

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T2-weighted gradient echo axial image in a patient with hemochromatosis demonstrates diffuse abnormal low signal intensity of the liver. The pancreas and spleen appear normal.

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Media file 2: T2-weighted spin echo axial image in a 4-year-old boy with thalassemia demonstrates abnormal low signal intensity of the liver, spleen, and pancreas.

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T2-weighted spin echo axial image in a 4-year-old boy with thalassemia demonstrates abnormal low signal intensity of the liver, spleen, and pancreas.

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Media file 3: T2-weighted gradient echo axial image in a 24-year-old man with sickle cell disease who had undergone multiple transfusions demonstrates diffuse abnormal low signal intensity of the liver and spleen.

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T2-weighted gradient echo axial image in a 24-year-old man with sickle cell disease who had undergone multiple transfusions demonstrates diffuse abnormal low signal intensity of the liver and spleen.

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Media file 4: T2-weighted spin echo axial image in the same patient as Picture 3 demonstrates diffuse abnormal low signal intensity of the liver and spleen. Signal abnormality is less apparent on this spin echo image, and the liver is only slightly lower in signal intensity than the paraspinal muscles.

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T2-weighted spin echo axial image in the same patient as Picture 3 demonstrates diffuse abnormal low signal intensity of the liver and spleen. Signal abnormality is less apparent on this spin echo image, and the liver is only slightly lower in signal intensity than the paraspinal muscles.

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Media file 5: T1-weighted spin echo axial image in the same patient as Pictures 3 and 4 fails to demonstrate abnormal low signal intensity of the liver and spleen.

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T1-weighted spin echo axial image in the same patient as Pictures 3 and 4 fails to demonstrate abnormal low signal intensity of the liver and spleen.

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Media file 6: T2-weighted spin echo axial image in a 40-year-old man with alpha-thalassemia demonstrates diffuse abnormal low signal intensity of the liver, spleen, and pancreas.

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T2-weighted spin echo axial image in a 40-year-old man with alpha-thalassemia demonstrates diffuse abnormal low signal intensity of the liver, spleen, and pancreas.

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Media file 7: T1-weighted spin echo axial image in the same patient as Picture 6 demonstrates diffuse abnormal low signal intensity of the liver, spleen, and pancreas. Although T1-weighted images are less sensitive than many other pulse sequences at detecting abnormal iron deposition, they still may demonstrate this abnormality.

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T1-weighted spin echo axial image in the same patient as Picture 6 demonstrates diffuse abnormal low signal intensity of the liver, spleen, and pancreas. Although T1-weighted images are less sensitive than many other pulse sequences at detecting abnormal iron deposition, they still may demonstrate this abnormality.

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Media file 8: Noncontrast CT scan in a 47-year-old man with sickle cell disease who had undergone multiple transfusions demonstrates diffuse increased attenuation of the liver, representing abnormal iron deposition. The spleen is small and calcified from autosplenectomy.

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Noncontrast CT scan in a 47-year-old man with sickle cell disease who had undergone multiple transfusions demonstrates diffuse increased attenuation of the liver, representing abnormal iron deposition. The spleen is small and calcified from autosplenectomy.

(Enlarge Image)

Media file 9: T1-weighted spin echo image in the same patient as Picture 8 demonstrates diffuse abnormal low signal intensity of the liver.

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T1-weighted spin echo image in the same patient as Picture 8 demonstrates diffuse abnormal low signal intensity of the liver.

(Enlarge Image)

Media file 10: T2-weighted spin echo image in the same patient as Pictures 8 and 9 demonstrates diffuse abnormal low signal intensity of the liver.

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T2-weighted spin echo image in the same patient as Pictures 8 and 9 demonstrates diffuse abnormal low signal intensity of the liver.

(Enlarge Image)

Media file 11: T2-weighted gradient echo image in the same patient as Pictures 8-10 demonstrates diffuse abnormal low signal intensity of the liver. Magnetic susceptibility artifact obscures the upper pole of the left kidney because of dense splenic calcification.

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T2-weighted gradient echo image in the same patient as Pictures 8-10 demonstrates diffuse abnormal low signal intensity of the liver. Magnetic susceptibility artifact obscures the upper pole of the left kidney because of dense splenic calcification.

(Enlarge Image)

Media file 12: MRI demonstrates abnormal low signal intensity of the liver on this T2-weighted gradient echo image in a 37-year-old male. The spleen and pancreas are normal. These findings indicate abnormal iron deposition in the liver with sparing of the spleen and pancreas. This distribution is typical of hemochromatosis before the onset of cirrhosis.

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MRI demonstrates abnormal low signal intensity of the liver on this T2-weighted gradient echo image in a 37-year-old male. The spleen and pancreas are normal. These findings indicate abnormal iron deposition in the liver with sparing of the spleen and pancreas. This distribution is typical of hemochromatosis before the onset of cirrhosis.

More on Hemochromatosis

Overview: Hemochromatosis

Imaging: Hemochromatosis

Follow-up: Hemochromatosis

Multimedia: Hemochromatosis

References

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Phatak PD, Bonkovsky HL, Kowdley KV. Hereditary hemochromatosis: time for targeted screening. Ann Intern Med. Aug 19 2008;149(4):270-2. [Medline].
Adams PC, Reboussin DM, Barton JC, Acton RT, Speechley M, Leiendecker-Foster C, et al. Serial serum ferritin measurements in untreated HFE C282Y homozygotes in the Hemochromatosis and Iron Overload Screening Study. Int J Lab Hematol. Aug 2008;30(4):300-5. [Medline].
Acton RT, Barton JC, Passmore LV, Adams PC, McLaren GD, Leiendecker-Foster C, et al. Accuracy of family history of hemochromatosis or iron overload: the hemochromatosis and iron overload screening study. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. Aug 2008;6(8):934-8. [Medline].
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Keywords

hemochromatosis, haemochromatosis, hereditary hemochromatosis, primary hemochromatosis, secondary hemochromatosis, idiopathic hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis, iron overload, iron toxicity

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Sandor Joffe, MD, Section Chief of Abdominal Imaging, Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Medical Center
Sandor Joffe, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Radiology, American Roentgen Ray Society, and Radiological Society of North America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Neela Lamki, MD, Professor, Department of Radiology, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman; Adjunct Professor, Department of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Bernard D Coombs, MB, ChB, PhD, Consulting Staff, Department of Specialist Rehabilitation Services, Hutt Valley District Health Board, New Zealand
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Udo P Schmiedl, MD, PhD, Clinical Professor, Department of Radiology, University of Washington; Consulting Staff, Swedish Medical Center, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle Radiologists
Udo P Schmiedl, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Radiology and Radiological Society of North America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Robert M Krasny, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Radiology, Resolution Imaging Medical Corporation
Robert M Krasny, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Roentgen Ray Society and Radiological Society of North America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

John Karani, MBBS, FRCR, Clinical Director of Radiology and Consultant Radiologist, Department of Radiology, King's College Hospital, London
John Karani, MBBS, FRCR is a member of the following medical societies: British Institute of Radiology, British Society of Interventional Radiology, Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe, European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology, European Society of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America, and Royal College of Radiologists
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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eMedicine Specialties > Radiology > Gastrointestinal

Hemochromatosis: Multimedia

Multimedia

T2-weighted gradient echo axial image in a patient with hemochromatosis demonstrates diffuse abnormal low signal intensity of the liver. The pancreas and spleen appear normal.

T2-weighted spin echo axial image in a 4-year-old boy with thalassemia demonstrates abnormal low signal intensity of the liver, spleen, and pancreas.

T2-weighted gradient echo axial image in a 24-year-old man with sickle cell disease who had undergone multiple transfusions demonstrates diffuse abnormal low signal intensity of the liver and spleen.

T2-weighted spin echo axial image in the same patient as Picture 3 demonstrates diffuse abnormal low signal intensity of the liver and spleen. Signal abnormality is less apparent on this spin echo image, and the liver is only slightly lower in signal intensity than the paraspinal muscles.

T1-weighted spin echo axial image in the same patient as Pictures 3 and 4 fails to demonstrate abnormal low signal intensity of the liver and spleen.

T2-weighted spin echo axial image in a 40-year-old man with alpha-thalassemia demonstrates diffuse abnormal low signal intensity of the liver, spleen, and pancreas.

Noncontrast CT scan in a 47-year-old man with sickle cell disease who had undergone multiple transfusions demonstrates diffuse increased attenuation of the liver, representing abnormal iron deposition. The spleen is small and calcified from autosplenectomy.

T1-weighted spin echo image in the same patient as Picture 8 demonstrates diffuse abnormal low signal intensity of the liver.

T2-weighted spin echo image in the same patient as Pictures 8 and 9 demonstrates diffuse abnormal low signal intensity of the liver.

T2-weighted gradient echo image in the same patient as Pictures 8-10 demonstrates diffuse abnormal low signal intensity of the liver. Magnetic susceptibility artifact obscures the upper pole of the left kidney because of dense splenic calcification.

More on Hemochromatosis

References

Further Reading

Keywords

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Medical Editor

Pharmacy Editor

Managing Editor

CME Editor

Chief Editor