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The evolving role of MRI in oncohaematological disorders

Il ruolo della RM nelle malattie oncoematologiche

  • Musculoskeletal Radiology Radiologia Muscoloscheletrica
  • Published:
La radiologia medica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has opened new possibilities to current diagnostic radiology in the evaluation of bone marrow. Compared with other imaging modalities, MRI is the only technique able to directly visualise bone marrow with its different components of red and yellow marrow. Other advantages of MRI are high-contrast resolution and multiplanar view, as well as extensive coverage of the skeleton with whole-body MRI (WBMRI). However, specificity of signal alterations of bone marrow is low. Therefore, MRI findings need to be integrated with clinical and laboratory findings as well as with haematological and oncological evaluation. MRI provides information that effectively aids diagnosis, staging and follow-up of various bone marrow disorders. There is increasing interest in the capabilities of MRI in the evaluation of bone marrow, in particular of haematological malignancies. According to some authors much work remains to be done to improve sensitivity and specificity of MRI in order to define the real clinical value of this imaging modality in the multidisciplinary management of patients with a haematological malignancy. This article presents recent developments and perspectives in the use of MRI in oncohaematological diseases.

Riassunto

La risonanza magnetica (RM) ha aperto nuove possibilità alla radiologia diagnostica per la valutazione del midollo osseo. A differenza delle altre modalità di imaging, la RM è la sola tecnica capace di visualizzare direttamente il midollo osseo, nelle sue componenti di midollo rosso e giallo. Altri vantaggi della RM sono rappresentati dall’elevata risoluzione di contrasto e dalla visione multiplanare, assieme ad un’ampia copertura dello scheletro, fino alla RM “whole body” (WBMRI). Tuttavia la specificità delle alterazioni di segnale è bassa, perciò i reperti di RM devono essere integrati con la clinica e i risultati di laboratorio assieme alla valutazione ematologica ed oncologica. La RM fornisce informazioni che aiutano la diagnosi, lo staging ed il follow-up di diverse malattie del midollo osseo. Vi è un crescente interesse per la capacità della RM di valutare il midollo osseo, particolarmente nelle neoplasie ematologiche. Secondo alcuni autori “molto lavoro deve ancora essere fatto” per migliorare la sensibilità e la specificità della RM e per definire il reale valore clinico di questa modalità di imaging nella gestione multidisciplinare del paziente con una neoplasia ematologica. Questo articolo presenta i recenti sviluppi e le prospettive nell’uso della RM nelle patologie oncoematologiche.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UO di Radiologia, Università “Magna Graecia” di Catanzaro, Campus di Germaneto, Viale Europa, I-88100, Catanzaro, Italy

    O. Tamburrini & D. Console

  2. UCO di Radiologia, Università di Trieste, Ospedale di Cattinara, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149, Trieste, Italy

    M. A. Cova & P. Martingano

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  1. O. Tamburrini
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  2. M. A. Cova
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Correspondence to O. Tamburrini.

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Tamburrini, O., Cova, M.A., Console, D. et al. The evolving role of MRI in oncohaematological disorders. Radiol med 112, 703–721 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11547-007-0174-0

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