Clinico-radiological correlation in thalassemia intermedia
Sergiacomi, G.; Palma, E.; Cianciulli, P.; Forte, L.; Papa, G.; Simonetti, G.
La Radiologia Medica 85(5): 570-573
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0033-8362 PMID: 8327757 Document Number: 405847
Fifteen thalassemia intermedia patients were considered, whose clinical and radiological findings were examined and compared. Eight patients underwent regular transfusion therapy. All patients underwent total body CT: the volume of ectopic erythropoiesis foci was calculated by a digital calculation algorithm (ROI volume). This work was aimed at correlating the quantitative measures of ectopic erythropoiesis assessed by CT with serum level of erythropoietin (EPO) and of trasferrin-free receptors (TfR) in both transfused and non-transfused patients, also considering the volume changes of ectopic erythropoiesis and bone changes over 36 months' follow-up. A direct correlation was demonstrated between serum transferrin and ectopic erythropoietic masses in transfusion-dependent patients: in fact, increased values of serum transferrin correspond to the enlargement of these masses and to bone lesion worsening.