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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2023; 27(01): 003-021
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1761612
Review Article

Advances in Bone Marrow Imaging: Strengths and Limitations from a Clinical Perspective

Authors

  • Charbel Mourad

    1   Department of Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
    2   Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Hôpital Libanais Geitaoui- CHU, Beyrouth, Lebanon

  • Aurelio Cosentino

    3   Department of Radiology, Hôpital Riviera-Chablais, Vaud-Valais, Rennaz, Switzerland

  • Marie Nicod Lalonde

    4   Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland

  • Patrick Omoumi

    1   Department of Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Abstract

Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remains the modality of choice to image bone marrow. However, the last few decades have witnessed the emergence and development of novel MRI techniques, such as chemical shift imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, and whole-body MRI, as well as spectral computed tomography and nuclear medicine techniques. We summarize the technical bases behind these methods, in relation to the common physiologic and pathologic processes involving the bone marrow. We present the strengths and limitations of these imaging methods and consider their added value compared with conventional imaging in assessing non-neoplastic disorders like septic, rheumatologic, traumatic, and metabolic conditions. The potential usefulness of these methods to differentiate between benign and malignant bone marrow lesions is discussed. Finally, we consider the limitations hampering a more widespread use of these techniques in clinical practice.

Keywords

Dixon - diffusion-weighted imaging - dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging - whole-body magnetic resonance imaging - dual-energy computed tomography


Publication History

Article published online:
03 March 2023

© 2023. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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