الفهرس 
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Abstract
MRI T2*is rapid, non-invasive, reproducible means for assessing iron overload in patients with β–Thalassemia major.
Myocardial and hepatic iron content cannot be predicted from serum ferritin, other diagnostic measures and conventional assessments of cardiac function can only detect those with advanced disease when the symptoms appear and already become a cardiac paitents.
Early diagnosis and treatment of iron overload is likely to prevent the mortality seen in patients with thalassemia.
In conclusion, cardiac and hepatic siderosis is present in a high proportion of patients with β– thalassemia major and this can occur at a very early age (even below 10 years). Serum ferritin and liver iron do not correlate with the severity of cardiac iron overload. These findings have important implications for the monitoring and routine management of thalassemia patients.
New technique of assessment of iron over load byT2* is available and very easy to do for all patient and follow up who on treatment to avoid invasive method of liver biopsy.
• It is recommended that cardiac MRI T2* should be repeated every 2 years if T2* >20ms, every year if between 20-10 ms, every 6months if <10 ms and even earlier if evidence of cardiac dysfunction is documented. In a population who have not received any form of iron chelation, this evaluation may be necessary even in younger patients.