Differentiating Multiple Myeloma and Vertebral Metastases Using T1-Weighted MRI Signal Intensity Ratio
Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays a critical role in identifying vertebral lesions, yet differentiating multiple myeloma from metastases remains challenging. This retrospective study evaluated 100 patients with pathologically confirmed lesions, measuring the signal intensity ratio between spinal lesions and the spinal cord on T1 - weighted MRI. Results revealed a significantly higher signal intensity ratio in multiple myeloma (1.39 ? 0.24) compared to metastases (0.85 ? 0.31), with hepatocellular carcinoma metastases exhibiting a uniquely elevated ratio. The study introduces a practical visual threshold (?1) that may be used during image interpretation to differentiate these conditions more effectively. The findings highlight a potentially simple, visual diagnostic aid in distinguishing between these spinal pathologies.
Keywords: multiple myeloma, vertebral metastases, T1 - weighted MRI, spinal cord, signal - intensity ratio
How to Cite?: Hanan Sherif, Omar M Aboumarzouk, Mahmoud Al Heidous, Antonio J Santimano, Ahmed Mounir Elsayed, Mohamed Al-Hassan, Abdulla Al-Ansari, "Differentiating Multiple Myeloma and Vertebral Metastases Using T1-Weighted MRI Signal Intensity Ratio", Volume 14 Issue 5, May 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 249-252, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR25430181808, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR25430181808