Diagnostic imaging of limbs in children with acute leukemia / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate X-ray and MRI features of limbs in childhood acute leukemia.Methods Thirteen children with acute leukemia in our pediatric hematology ward were recruited.Allpatients were pathologically diagnosed by bone marrow aspiration and complained of bone or joint pain in the first visit.ConventionaI X-ray and MRI examinations of algesic sites were performed before clinical treatment and after complete remission.MR images were obtained with SE-T1WI,SE-T2WI and T2WI-fat suppressed sequences and symmetria bilateralis was requested while scanning.X-ray and MRI manifestations were evaluated and compared.Resuits All 13 patients had received X-ray examinations.Among them,6 had normal X-ray findings,whereas the other 7(14 sites)showed various abnormalities including radiolucent metaphyseal bands(5 sites),periosteal reaction(3 sites),osteapenia(2 sites),mixed lesions(lysissclerosis,1 site),and permeative pattern(3 sites).The number of patients for MRI examinations was 8(11 sites).Among them,6(9 sites)showed bone marrow infiluration and bone marrow necrosis accompanied by normal X-ray findings,another 2(2 sites)showed bone marrow infiltration associated with radiographic abnormalities of periosteal reaction and radiolucent metaphyseal bands.Four cases were followed up within 1 week when reached complete remission by chemotherapy.MR images features included reduced sizes of bone marrow infiltration lesions associated with increased signal intensity on T1WI,and disappearance of double-line sign on bone marrow necrosis accompanied by signal homogenization.However,the radiograph before and after treatment in the same cases did not differ significantly.Conclusions MRI was earlier and more comprehensive in showing limbs bone marrow abnormality than radiogram in acute leukemia children with chief complaint of osteoarticular pains.MRI might be one of indicators in following up therapeutic effect for AL children with osteoarticular disorder.