- Pathology:
- Iron overload leads to deposition in the
liver. The liver can be enlarged.
- Primary hemochromatosis: an autosomal recessive
disease that has abnormal absorption of iron in the intestine and thus
causes iron to be deposited in hepatocytes, spleen, pancreas, and the
myocardium.
- Secondary hemochromatosis: caused by multiple
transfusions with deposition of iron in the reticuloendothelial cells of
the liver and the spleen. However, the pancreas is NOT usually involved.
If the pancreas is involved, the hemochromatosis is usually of the primary type.
- Radiographic findings:
- U/S: hyperechoic liver (but can look
normal).
- CT: hyperdense liver (> 75 HU). There are similar findings in Wilson's disease, amiodarone toxicity, and previous thorotrast exposure.
- T1- and T2-weighted MRI: Liver and
spleen are hyperintense (very dark liver) compared with adjacent
muscles owing to paramagnetic
effect. Normally, the signal intensity of the liver parenchyma is equal
to or slightly greater than that of muscle.
|
