Role of 3T MRI in Evaluation of Bone Marrow Changes in Spine in Various Diseases

Multiplanar MR imaging provides excellent spatial and contrast resolution necessary to differentiate the signal intensities of fatty (yellow) marrow elements from hematopoietic (red) marrow elements and hence it is useful for evaluation of various pathologies of bone marrow. Utilization of typical imaging features on conventional MR imaging techniques and other newer imaging techniques, such as diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and in- and out-of-phase MRI, for better characterisation of bone marrow pathologies has been highlighted.

To determine the prevalence of various bone marrow pathologies in spine. To study the MRI signal changes of bone marrow in various lesions such as anaemia, leukaemia, lymphomas and various bone marrow disorders.

A total of 100 patients who were investigated between November 2012 and October 2014 were included. MRI spine studies were done on a 3.0 Tesla Philips Achieva Medical Systems.

In our study, out of 100 cases studied for various spinal pathologies, 48 patients were male and 52 were female indicating almost equal male to female distribution. Maximum cases were degenerative with most common site of involvement being lumbar followed by cervical region. There were only 3 cases of depletion disorder and no case with deposition disorder. The mean age group was 45.37 years, with the range being 9 years to 72 years. Maximum patients (n = 67) were found in the age group of 41-60.

Various bone marrow disorders were classified and evaluated separately. A systematic approach to its evaluation by categorization is essential with prudent use of both conventional and problem-solving techniques, such as CSI and DWI, for accurate diagnosis and appropriate patient management. Conventional radiology depicts changes of an altered bony matrix while MRI displays changes at a cellular level and is well suited for imaging the bone marrow. MRI serves as a screening method in bone marrow disorders and the diagnosis is established in context with the clinical findings or by biopsy.