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 metastases.

METHOD: Whole-body bone marrow MRI was performed in 18 patients with known malignant tumors and suspected bone metastases. The imaging protocol consisted of fast T1-weighted and STIR sequences applied in different anatomical positions covering the whole skeleton. MRI findings indicating bone metastases 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 confirmed 105 lesions. MRI detected 96 (91.4%) of the confirmed lesions, whereas bone scintigraphy detected 89 (84.8%). The entire examination, including patient positioning and changing of imaging coils, required 45 min of room time.

CONCLUSION: Whole-body bone marrow MRI as used in this study is an effective method for evaluating the entire skeletal system in patients with suspected metastatic disease.