Comparison of bone scintigraphy and whole-body diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the detection of bone metastases

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was o evaluate the efficacy and success of whole-body diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (WB-DW-MRI) as a new method for the detection of bone metastasis commonly seen in malignancies, compared to bone scintigraphy. Materials and Methods: The WB-DW-MRI findings of 21 patients with primary malignancies and bone metastases were retrospectively evaluated and compared to scintigraphy findings. Results: Twenty-one patients had 143 metastatic lesions detected by scintigraphy, and 96 of these bone metastases were also detected on WB-DW-MRI. The area where the success of WB-DW-MRI was highest was the lower extremities, for which 12 (92.3%) of 13 metastases were identified. This was followed by vertebrae, for which WB-DW-MRI detected 39 (86.6%) of 45 metastases. The metastasis detection rates for the upper extremities, pelvis, and cranium were calculated as 73.6%, 63.1%, and 60%, respectively. WB-DW-MRI was least successful in identifying metastases in ribs, with only 16 (38.1%) of 42 metastases being detected by this modality. Conclusion: In line with the findings obtained from this study, it is considered that WB-DW-MRI may be successful in the detection of bone metastases, especially in the axial skeleton. The failure observed for the ribs can be remedied by newly developed magnetic sensitivity technologies, increasing geometric resolution, and fast sequences that will prevent motion artifacts.

Keywords

• bone metastases
• whole-body diffusion mri
• bone scintigraphy
• kemik metastazları
• tüm vücut difüzyon mrg
• kemik sintigrafisi