Whole-body bone marrow MRI in patients with metastatic disease to the skeletal system

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic potential of a whole-body bone marrow MR protocol in the detection of bone metastase s. Method: Whole-body bone marrow MRI was performed in 18 patients with known malignant tumors and suspected bone metastases. The imaging protocol consis ted of fast TI-weighted and STIR sequences applied in different anatomical positions covering the whole skeleton. MRI findings indicating bone metasta ses were compared with findings from bone scintigraphy. Metastatic lesions were confirmed by follow-up MR examinations, bone scintigraphy, radiography , or CT. Results: A total number of 216 lesions were detected with MRI in comparison with 159 lesions detected with bone scintigraphy. Follow-up examinations c onfirmed 105 lesions. MRI detected 96 (91.4%) of the confirmed lesions, whe reas bone scintigraphy detected 89 (84.8%). The entire examination, includi ng patient positioning and changing of imaging coils, required 45 min of ro om time. Conclusion: Whole-body bone marrow MRI as used in this study is an effectiv e method for evaluating the entire skeletal system in patients with suspect ed metastatic disease.