Lia Angela Moulopoulos MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Vasiliki Savvopoulou MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Lampros Vlachos MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Thomas G. Maris PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To describe dMRI perfusion patterns of degenerative endplate changes, normal bone marrow and malignant marrow disease.

One hundred fourteen adults without history of malignancy or other systemic disease (group A-normal marrow) underwent dMRI of the lumbosacral spine. Forty-three individuals with degenerative endplate changes comprised group B (degenerative endplate changes). Fifty patients with malignant bone marrow involvement (group C-malignant marrow) were also studied with dMRI. Sixteen of 50 patients who had focal malignant disease served for the study of apparently normal bone marrow, with ROI placement at sites without obvious bone marrow infiltration on routine MRI (group D-apparently normal marrow). Signal intensity to time (SIT) curves were generated for all four groups and calculated perfusion parameters were statistically compared.

All calculated perfusion parameters differed significantly among the four study groups (p<0,05). Malignant marrow showed the most pronounced perfusion (early and intense contrast inflow followed by rapid outflow)and was consequently followed by apparently normal marrow, normal bone marrow and finally by degenerative end plate changes. The latest showed the most delayed and diminished contrast inflow, followed by a plateau with faint outflow. Mean calculated SIT curves obtained from perfuson analysis clearly differed among all study groups.

dMRI perfusion patterns of normal bone marrow, degenerative endplate and malignant changes are different. dMRI may detect malignant bone marrow involvement before it becomes evident on conventional spinal MRI.

Cancer patients often belong to an older age group and suffer from degenerative spinal disease. dMRI may assist differentiation of normal bone marrow from malignant marrow infiltration and degenerative changes when routine MRI is inconclusive.

Moulopoulos, L, Savvopoulou, V, Vlachos, L, Maris, T, dMRI Contrast Profiles of Normal Bone Marrow, Degenerative Endplate Changes, and Malignant Marrow.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5015644.html