Functional magnetic resonance imaging for detection and monitoring of bonelesions in multiple myeloma

Aim of the study. Investigation of the quantitative microcirculation parame ters amplitude A and exchange fate constant k(21) determined by contrast-en hanced dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (d-MRI) in multiple myeloma (MM). Methods. d-MRT of lumbar spine and right spina iliaca superior posterior of 16 controls (ctr) and 35 patients with active MM. Generation of colour-cod ed images of microcirculation parameters superimposed onto static MRI image s. Results. Amplitude A and k(21) parameters were significantly increased in p atients with MM and down modulated by therapy in 7 of 8 MM cases in a follo w-up investigation [p<0.01; median A(ctr)=0.2 (0.09-0.4); median A(MM)=0.93 (0.2-1.52); median k(21ctr)=0.09 min(-1) (0.03-0.9); median k(21ctr)=4.57 min(-1) (0.21-23.8)]. Thirteen patients revealed a "diffuse" and 22 a "foca l" pattern of distribution of microcirculation parameters. Bone marrow biop sies in 8 cases revealed an correlation between bone marrow plasma cell inf iltration and increased microcirculation parameters. Conclusion. Identification of microcirculation changes by d-MRI is a novel imaging technique far the detection and monitoring of MM bone lesions.