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Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Registered Bioimaging of Nanomaterials for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Monitoring
Published on: December 9, 2010
MR imaging of bone metastases and choice of sequence: spin echo, in-phase gradient echo, diffusion, and contrast
Daniel Vanel1, Roberto Casadei, Marco Alberghini
1Department of Radiology, Institut Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy.
Abstract:
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the only imaging technique allowing the direct visualization of the bone marrow and is the most sensitive to detect bone metastases. Sensitivity is high, but a good understanding and an informed choice of acquisition sequences can easily improve specificity. Fat and water distribution (spin echo), indirect visualization of bone trabeculae (in-phase gradient echo), evaluation of bone edema and cell density (diffusion), and the study of vascularization (contrast medium) should be cleverly combined to enable good detection and lesion characterization.
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