Iron Overload and Chelation Therapy (2)

A second method of measuring body iron burden is the liver biopsy, a direct sampling of burdened tissue, during which a small piece of liver tissue is removed and examined for iron fall between storage. The method is an invasive procedure, sometimes involving a short hospital stay. As a result, many patients are reluctant to get a liver biopsy and are worried about its safety. However, a recent study from Italy, where thalassemia is extremely prevalent, showed that of 1000 patients biopsied over 5 years, no complications occurred. This is due in part to improved ultrasound technology which allows physicians to see the liver before the procedure.

A third, very accurate method of measuring iron is through a radiologic study performed by a machine called SQUID, the Superconducting Quantum Interference Device. The SQUID or Ferritometer devices use magnetic fields to measure the amount of iron stored in the liver. The procedure is non-invasive and takes less than 15 minutes to complete. Non-invasive liver iron measurements are currently available at two locations in the United States: Columbia-New York Presbyterian in New York (SQUID) and Children's Hospital & Research Center in Oakland,
California (Ferritometer).

Due to the sensitivity of the device and the nature of the measurements, patients with pacemakers, artificial joints, dental braces, metallic surgical staples or clips, indwelling catheters or ports with metallic components, weights of less than 25 kg or who are less than 5 years
of age MAY NOT be eligible for this measurement. Appointments are available for the Ferritometer in Oakland as needed. If you treat any thalassemia patients and wish to set up an appointment for a non-invasive liver iron measurement at the Ferritometer (Oakland), please contact the Thalassemia Center at Children's Hospital Oakland: 510-428-3885 x4389. <Click here to learn more about the Ferritometer>

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To learn more about Iron Overload, including treatment recommendations and systems effected by iron-overload, please see pages 7-11 of our Standard of Care Guidelines.