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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2009; 13(2): 134-144
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1220884
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Diffusion-Weighted Imaging of Bone Marrow

Olaf Dietrich1 , Andreas Biffar1 , Maximilian F. Reiser2 , Andrea Baur-Melnyk2
  • 1Josef Lissner Laboratory for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Clinical Radiology, LMU Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich–Grosshadern Campus, Munich, Germany
  • 2Department of Clinical Radiology, LMU Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich–Grosshadern Campus, Munich, Germany
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Publication History

Publication Date:
19 May 2009 (online)

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ABSTRACT

In diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI-MRI), the observed MRI signal intensity is attenuated by the self-diffusion of water molecules. DWI can provide information about the microscopic structure and organization of biological tissue and thus can depict various pathological changes of organs or tissues. DWI has been successfully used for the characterization of bone marrow alterations or lesions, and in particular for the differentiation of benign and malignant vertebral compression fractures. In this review article, the basics of DWI are introduced, and several pulse sequences that have been used for DWI of the bone marrow are described. Subsequently, an extensive overview about diffusion studies of the bone marrow and in particular of DWI of vertebral compression fractures is provided.

KEYWORDS

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging - bone marrow - vertebral compression fractures - pulse sequences

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Olaf DietrichPh.D. 

Josef Lissner Laboratory for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Clinical Radiology

LMU Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich–Grosshadern Campus, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany

Email: od@dtrx.net