[The diagnostic value of CT in siderophilia (primary idiopathic hemochromatosis)].

CT, due to its high resolution of density, is suitable, within certain limits, to quantify iron contents in the liver. - Diagnostic value and limits of dual-energy-computed tomography after 38 examinations, 31 of them in patients with verified haemochromatosis, are described: In a progressive state of iron overload a high correlation exists between results of computed tomography and usual reference methods of iron metabolism (iron determination by absorption spectrometry and histologic examination, serum-iron-level, serum-ferritin-level, relative transferrin saturation, desferal test). - With a specificity of nearly 100% CT shows a minor or medium iron overload only with low sensitivity. - Because of its noninvasive nature CT is an alternative method of biopsy in progressive liver disease with suspected hepatic siderosis.