Application value of magnetic resonance sequences in diagnosis of early spinal metastatic tumor.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the clinical value of different magnetic resonance (MR) pulse sequences in diagnosis of spinal metastatic tumor.


METHODS
Fifteen patients with clinically suspected spinal metastatic tumor were included in this study. These patients were with documented primary tumors. Four MR pulse sequences, T1-weighted spin echo (T1WI SE), T2-weighted fast spin echo (T2WI FSE), short time inversion recovery (STIR), and gradient echo 2-D multi echo data imaging combination (GE Me-2D) were used to detect spinal metastasis.


RESULTS
Fifteen vertebral bodies were entire involvement, 38 vertebral bodies were section involvement, and totally 53 vertebral bodies were involved. There were 19 focal infections in pedicle of vertebral arch, 15 metastases in spinous process and transverse process. Fifty-three vertebral bodies were abnormal in T1 WI SE and GE Me-2D, 35 vertebral bodies were found abnormal in T2WI FSE, and 50 vertebral bodies were found abnormal in STIR. The verges of focal signal of involved vertebral bodies were comparatively clear in T1WI SE, comparatively clear or vague in T2WI FSE, vague in STIR, and clear in GE Me-2D.


CONCLUSIONS
GE Me-2D may be the most sensitive technique to detect metastases. So three sequences (T1WI SE, T2WI FSE, GE Me-2D) can demonstrate the early changes of spinal metastasis roundly.
Wang
Li-Xia
LX
Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022. lisa2003627@yahoo.com.cn
Kong
Xiang-Quan
XQ
Shi
He-Shui
HS
Liu
Ding-Xi
DX
Xiong
Yin
Y
D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003050:Coccyx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000473:pathology*; D011859:Radiography; D012447:Sacrum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary*; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging