Anomalous signal intensity increase on out-of-phase chemical shift imaging: a manifestation of marrow mineralisation?

OBJECTIVE

In-phase (IP) and out-of-phase (OOP) chemical shift imaging (CSI) is an established technique for clarifying the nature of indeterminate bone marrow lesions, a signal intensity (SI) drop of > 20% at 1.5 tesla (T) or > 25% on 3 T on the OOP sequence being consistent with a non-neoplastic process. Occasionally, SI increase is seen on OOP sequences. The aim of this study is to determine if this is related to marrow sclerosis or matrix mineralisation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 184 cases, the SI change on OOP was calculated. For patients in whom the SI on OOP increased compared with the IP sequence, available CT studies and radiographs were reviewed to look for marrow sclerosis and/or matrix mineralisation.

RESULTS

Forty out of 184 patients (34.25%) showed an anomalous increase in SI on the OOP sequence. CT studies were available in 27 cases (67.5%), of which medullary sclerosis was seen in 20 (74.1%) while matrix mineralisation was seen in a further 2 cases. Review of radiographs demonstrated matrix mineralisation in 6 cases, while punctate signal void consistent with chondral calcification was seen on MRI in 2 more cases. Based on either typical imaging features (n = 22) or histology (n = 18), 7 lesions (17.5%) were classed as non-neoplastic, 18 (45%) as benign neoplasms and 15 (37.5%) as malignant neoplasms.

CONCLUSION

When assessing focal marrow lesions with CSI, anomalous SI increase may be seen on the OOP sequence in approximately one-third of cases. In over 75% of such cases, CT or radiographs demonstrate either diffuse marrow sclerosis or matrix mineralisation.