Other imaging Clinically, the disease may be silent, but characteristic radiological features may point to the diagnosis. The increased iron stores in the organs involved, especially in the liver and pancreas, result in characteristic findings on unenhanced CT and a decreased signal intensity in MRI scans. Haemochromatosis arthropathy includes degenerative osteoarthritis and chondrocalcinosis. The distribution of the arthropathy is distinctive, but not unique, frequently affecting the second and third metacarpophalangeal joints of the hand. The arthropathy can, therefore, be an early clue as to the diagnosis of haemochromatosis.
Other IMaGiNg clinIcally, tHe dIseAse May Be SiLeNT, BUt chaRaCteRIStiC rADIoloGIcAL FeaTuRES may POint To The dIagnOsiS. tHE inCrEAsed iroN storEs IN the oRgans INvolVed, EspeCiAlly In the LIver aND pAncReas, reSult iN cHAraCTerIsTic findiNGs on uNeNHAnced ct aNd a decreasEd SigNaL InTenSIty In MRi scANS. haEmocHroMatOsis arthROpaThY inCludes dEGeneratiVE oSteoarthRitIs and chONdrocalCinosiS. thE DiStrIbution oF tHe ARthROpaThy is dIStINCTive, but not UnIque, FrEQUeNtly affEcTIng the secOnD aNd thIrD meTAcARPoPhALangeAl JoIntS oF the hAnd. the ArthrOpAThy can, tHErefORe, be An early cluE as TO ThE DiagNOsis Of haeMochromatosis.