HEMATOPOIETIC BONE-MARROW HYPERPLASIA - CORRELATION OF SPINAL MR FINDINGS, HEMATOLOGIC PARAMETERS, AND BONE-MINERAL DENSITY IN ENDURANCE ATHLETES

PURPOSE: To determine the frequency of hematopoietic hyperplasia on sp inal magnetic resonance (MR) images in endurance athletes and to corre late MR alterations with clinical parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: I n 15 endurance athletes, MR images of the lumbar spine were analyzed f or hematopoietic hyperplasia; vertebral T1 and T2 were determined. Bon e mineral density (BMD) was determined, blood tests were performed, an d maximum oxygen consumption (Vo(2)max) was measured. RESULTS: Nine su bjects showed evidence of hematopoietic hyperplasia: Eight showed T1 p rolongation, and six had patchy or diffuse T1 hypointensity. No defini te correlation existed between hematopoietic hyperplasia and duration of training, hematologic results, or Vo(2)max levels. Borderline signi ficance existed between hematopoietic hyperplasia and anemia (P = .103 ) and intensity of training (P = .09). BMD had no statistically signif icant effect on T1. CONCLUSION: Changes in BMD do not appear to contri bute to MR marrow changes that are consistent with hematopoietic hyper plasia. Depleted iron reserves or increased hematopoiesis probably con tribute to hematopoietic hyperplasia in endurance athletes.