MR PREDICTION OF BENIGN AND MALIGNANT VERTEBRAL COMPRESSION FRACTURES

We reviewed spinal MR images of 58 patients with 98 compressed vertebr ae, Benign (47 vertebrae) or malignant (51 vertebrae) etiology was est ablished by biopsy or radiologic follow-up, Compressed vertebrae were analyzed for presence and characteristics of signal abnormality, alter ed vertebral contour, Schmorl's nodes, pedicular involvement, and cont rast uptake, Statistical analysis was performed, Diffuse and homogeneo us decrease in signal intensity on T1-weighted images, convex vertebra l contour, involvement of the pedicles, and a lumbar location were mor e frequently observed in malignant fractures (P < .01), A thoracic loc ation, lack of signal change, or a band-like abnormality and absence o f pedicular involvement or contour abnormality characterized benign fr actures (P < .01), Schmorl's nodes and enhancement did not help establ ish a diagnosis, When a constellation of MR criteria are applied, the accuracy of the diagnosis of malignant and benign vertebral compressio n fractures may reach 94%.