[Efficacy of MRI--whole spine image in diagnosis of vertebral metastases--results of a prospective study].
OBJECTIVE
To prospectively investigate the outcome efficacy of whole spine MRI for diagnosis and treatment in patients with suspected metastases of the spine.


METHODS
All patients older than 50 years with newly diagnosed back pain and/or newly diagnosed spine-related neurological symptoms without a diagnosis by other imaging modalities were accepted in this study. A whole spine MRI and a detailed MRI per spine region with suspicious lesions were performed using a Siemens Magnetom Expert 1.0 Tesla machine. Outcome efficacy was determined by assessing further therapy and result for the patient.


RESULTS
In all 15 patients of the year 1999 whole spine MRI allowed us to determine the definite diagnosis and treatment. Plain X-ray and 99mTc bone scanning gave a diagnostic suspicion but no definite diagnosis or therapeutic consequence.


CONCLUSIONS
MRI of the spine including whole spine images allows clear cut decision making in diagnosis and treatment of cases suspicious for metastatic disease of the spine. Careful history taking and clinical examination provide enough information to opt for whole spine MRI as the first choice investigation. This will provide maximum benefit to the patient and avoid examination cascades.
Krappel
F A
FA
Orthopädische Klinik, Klinikum Saarbrücken.
Bauer
E
E
Harland
U
U
D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary*; D013131:Spine / Q000473:pathology*