Organ-Specific Iron Overload in Non-Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia Patients: Insights from Quantitative MRI Evaluation

Objective

To elucidate the iron load in different organs of non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia (NTDT) patients using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2* scan.

Methods

Thirty-four NTDT patients, including 28 NTDT iron chelation without and 6 NTDT with iron chelation, together with 15 normal controls, underwent MRI examination between December 2022 and July 2024 were enrolled in the study. Measured T2* of the pituitary gland, kidney cortex, heart, liver, pancreas, spleen. Liver and spleen volumes were evaluated.

Results

Of the 28 patients in NTDT without iron chelation group, 19 patients with iron overload in the liver, 9 patients with iron overload in the kidneys, and 4 patients with iron overload in the spleen. Most patients with abnormal kidney and spleen iron (76.9 %) had liver iron overload. Compared with the control group, NTDT without iron chelation patients had lower T2* in the liver, kidney, and spleen (p < 0.05). And heart T2* was correlated with kidney T2* (r = 0.480, p = 0.010) and pancreas (r = 0.411, p = 0.037). Liver T2* was correlated with spleen T2* (r = 0.479, p = 0.011). Pancreas T2* was correlated with pituitary T2* (r = -0.433, p = 0.031).

Conclusions

NTDT patients exhibit significant organ-specific iron overload, particularly in the liver, kidneys, and spleen. The correlations between iron levels in different organs suggest interconnected mechanisms of iron accumulation. These findings highlight the importance of regular MRI screening to monitor and manage iron overload in NTDT patients.