Hepatic haemosiderosis

Changed by Henry Knipe, 4 Jun 2015

Updates to Article Attributes

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Hepatic haemosiderosis refers to deposition of haemosiderin in the liver.

Pathology

In the absence of genetic haemochromatosis and systemic haemosiderosis, patients with cirrhosis can accumulate focal iron within regenerative or dysplastic hepatic nodules, commonly referred to as 'siderotic nodules'. Siderotic dysplastic nodules are considered premalignant lesions while siderotic regenerative nodules are a marker for severe viral or alcoholic cirrhosis.

StainsHistology

Radiographic features

CT

If there are iron deposits above a certain level, siderotic regenerating nodules may appear as high attenuating nodules on CT or as heterogeneous regions of high density liver parenchyma 3.

MRI

MRI is more sensitive than CT in demonstrating siderotic regenerating nodules. The detection of siderotic nodules can be improved with the use of GRE pulse sequences with longer TEs 2

Regenerative siderotic nodules cannot be reliably distinguished from dysplastic siderotic nodules with MR imaging 5.

Reported signal characteristics of hepatic siderotic nodules include2:

  • T1: low signal 2
  • STIR: low signal2
  • gradient echo (GE): low signal2

See also

  • -<p><strong>Hepatic haemosiderosis</strong> refers to deposition of haemosiderin in the liver.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>In the absence of genetic <a href="/articles/haemochromatosis">haemochromatosis</a> and <a href="/articles/systemic-haemosiderosis">systemic haemosiderosis</a>, patients with cirrhosis can accumulate focal iron within regenerative or dysplastic hepatic nodules, commonly referred to as 'siderotic nodules'. Siderotic dysplastic nodules are considered premalignant lesions while siderotic regenerative nodules are a marker for severe viral or alcoholic cirrhosis.</p><h5>Stains</h5><ul><li>
  • -<a title="Siderotic nodules" href="/articles/siderotic-nodules">siderotic nodules</a> stain strongly with Prussian blue on histological specimens <sup>6</sup>.</li></ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>CT</h5><p>If there are iron deposits above a certain level, siderotic regenerating nodules may appear as high attenuating nodules on CT or as heterogeneous regions of high density liver parenchyma <sup>3</sup>.</p><h5>MRI</h5><p>MRI is more sensitive than CT in demonstrating siderotic regenerating nodules. The detection of siderotic nodules can be improved with the use of GRE pulse sequences with longer TEs <sup>2</sup>. </p><p>Regenerative siderotic nodules cannot be reliably distinguished from dysplastic siderotic nodules with MR imaging <sup>5</sup>.</p><p>Reported signal characteristics of hepatic siderotic nodules include:</p><ul>
  • +<p><strong>Hepatic haemosiderosis</strong> refers to deposition of haemosiderin in the <a title="liver" href="/articles/liver">liver</a>.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>In the absence of genetic <a href="/articles/haemochromatosis">haemochromatosis</a> and <a href="/articles/systemic-haemosiderosis">systemic haemosiderosis</a>, patients with cirrhosis can accumulate focal iron within regenerative or dysplastic hepatic nodules, commonly referred to as 'siderotic nodules'. Siderotic dysplastic nodules are considered premalignant lesions while siderotic regenerative nodules are a marker for severe viral or alcoholic cirrhosis.</p><h5>Histology</h5><ul><li>
  • +<a href="/articles/hepatic-siderotic-nodules">siderotic nodules</a> stain strongly with Prussian blue on histological specimens <sup>6</sup>
  • +</li></ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>CT</h5><p>If there are iron deposits above a certain level, siderotic regenerating nodules may appear as high attenuating nodules on CT or as heterogeneous regions of high density liver parenchyma <sup>3</sup>.</p><h5>MRI</h5><p>MRI is more sensitive than CT in demonstrating siderotic regenerating nodules. The detection of siderotic nodules can be improved with the use of GRE pulse sequences with longer TEs <sup>2</sup>. </p><p>Regenerative siderotic nodules cannot be reliably distinguished from dysplastic siderotic nodules with MR imaging <sup>5</sup>.</p><p>Reported signal characteristics of hepatic siderotic nodules <sup>2</sup>:</p><ul>
  • -<strong>T1:</strong> low signal<sup> 2</sup>
  • -</li>
  • +<strong>T1:</strong> low signal</li>
  • -<strong>STIR:</strong> low signal <sup>2</sup>
  • -</li>
  • +<strong>STIR:</strong> low signal</li>
  • -<strong>gradient echo (GE):</strong> low signal <sup>2</sup>
  • -</li>
  • +<strong>gradient echo (GE):</strong> low signal</li>

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