N. Hosten et al., DIFFUSE DEMINERALIZATION OF THE LUMBAR SP INE - MR-IMAGING STUDIES INOSTEOPOROSIS AND MULTIPLE-MYELOMA, RoFo. Fortschritte auf dem Gebiete der Rontgenstrahlen und der neuenbildgebenden Verfahren, 159(3), 1993, pp. 264-268
On plain radiographs, diffuse infiltration of the spine in multiple my
eloma may present as diffuse demineralization. Differentiation from os
teoporotic changes is then difficult. 15 patients with multiple myelom
a and 15 patients with osteoporosis were prospectively examined by MRI
using plain and contrast enhanced gradient echo techniques. Examinati
ons were evaluated for lesions and diagnosis was made by two independe
nt observers. Contrast enhancement was visible in lesions detected in
myeloma patients and in compression fractures. Fractures could be diff
erentiated from malignant lesions by the fact that there was no multip
licity of enhancing lesions. Contrast enhanced opposed phase gradient
echo sequences seem suited for the detection of vertebral envolvement
in myeloma.