Iron-Containing Abdominal Pathologies: Exploiting Magnetic Susceptibility Artifact on Dual-Echo Gradient-Echo Magnetic Resonance Imaging

J Comput Assist Tomogr. 2019 Mar/Apr;43(2):165-175. doi: 10.1097/RCT.0000000000000808.

Abstract

A multitude of pathologic entities involve abnormal iron deposition in the abdomen. These lesions demonstrate decreased signal on longer magnetic resonance sequences with longer echo time due to T2* effect. Dual-echo gradient-echo sequences demonstrate increased susceptibility artifact with longer echo sequences. In this article, the spectrum of iron-containing abdominal pathologies is illustrated, with their characteristic distributions. Included is a brief discussion of the physics of magnetic resonance imaging of iron-containing lesions.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Cavity / diagnostic imaging*
  • Abdominal Wall / diagnostic imaging
  • Adrenal Glands / diagnostic imaging
  • Adrenal Glands / metabolism
  • Artifacts*
  • Female
  • Hemochromatosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Hemochromatosis / metabolism
  • Hemosiderosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Hemosiderosis / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Iron / metabolism*
  • Kidney / diagnostic imaging
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Liver / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Spleen / diagnostic imaging
  • Spleen / metabolism

Substances

  • Iron