Bone marrow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): morphological and functional features from reconversion to infiltration

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Oncology

Background:

• Bone marrow composition varies with age and disease.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is crucial for evaluating bone marrow components.
• Understanding MRI characteristics is key to diagnosing bone marrow conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of normal and abnormal bone marrow MRI appearances.
• To review key MRI techniques and sequences for bone marrow assessment.
• To differentiate physiological bone marrow processes from pathological conditions.

Main Methods:

• Review of T1-weighted, T2-weighted, Dixon, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI sequences.
• Analysis of bone marrow characteristics across various morphological and functional MRI sequences.
• Discussion of advancements in imaging technology and emerging MRI techniques.

Main Results:

• MRI sequences reveal distinct features for normal marrow conversion, reconversion, and physiological states.
• Specific MRI findings help identify bone marrow infiltration (metastases), proliferation (multiple myeloma), edema, necrosis, and post-treatment changes.
• The review highlights MRI's utility in distinguishing physiological from pathological bone marrow processes.

Conclusions:

• Bone marrow MRI is an effective tool for diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring.
• Radiologists can utilize MRI findings to manage patients and avoid diagnostic errors.
• Optimal bone marrow MRI interpretation requires understanding marrow physiology and pathology.