Magnetic resonance imaging at 3.0-T in postmenopausal osteoporosis: a prospective study and review of the literature

Abstract

Objective: To promote advanced research using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of and screening for osteoporosis by looking for correlations among the T-scores measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and the T1-weighted signal intensity values. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study of postmenopausal women with no contraindications to MRI and no history of cancer who underwent DEXA within 30 days before or after the MRI examination. A 3.0-T scanner was used in order to acquire sagittal sequences targeting the lumbar spine. Results: Thirteen women underwent DEXA and MRI. In two cases, the MRI was discontinued early. Therefore, the final sample comprised 11 patients. The ADC values and T1-weighted signal intensity were found to be higher in patients with osteoporosis. However, among the patients > 60 years of age with osteoporosis, ADC values were lower and T1-weighted signal intensity was even higher. Conclusion: It is unlikely that MRI will soon replace DEXA for the diagnostic workup of osteoporosis. Although DWI and ADC mapping are useful for understanding the pathophysiology of osteoporosis, we believe that T1-weighted sequences are more sensitive than is DWI as a means of performing a qualitative analysis of vertebral alterations.

3.0-tesla magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of postmenopausal osteoporosis: are technological advances capable of replacing bone densitometry?

“…However, despite the fact that DEXA is a established method in the management of osteoporosis, a question arises ( 9 ) : Is there is a revolutionary high-tech examination that does not involve the use of ionizing radiation, is accessible, is replicable, and is capable of replacing densitometry? Trentadue et al ( 10 ) conducted advanced research using 3.0-tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient mapping, as a means of screening for and diagnosing osteoporosis in postmenopausal patients.…”

Ressonância magnética de 3 tesla na avaliação da osteoporose pós-menopausa: o avanço tecnológico é capaz de substituir a densitometria óssea?

“…Apesar de a DEXA ser um método consolidado no manejo da osteoporose, o questionamento de haver um exame de alta tecnologia, sem radiação ionizante, acessível e replicável capaz de revolucionar e substituir a densitometria, surge como uma possibilidade atrativa (9) . Trentadue et al (10) conduziram uma pesquisa avançada utilizando a ressonância magnética (RM) de 3 tesla, incluindo a sequência de difusão e o mapa de coeficiente de difusão aparente no screening e diagnóstico da osteoporose em pacientes pós-menopausa.…”