Magnetic resonance imaging in evaluation of a lucent bony lesion on plain x-ray

ABSTRACT

To assess the ability of MFJ in characterization of lucent bony lesion noticed on plain x ray. The study was conducted on 43 patients with a lucent bony lesion on plain x ray and subjected to MRI examination. MRI showed homogenous signal in 26 lesions and heterogenous signal in 17 lesions. The signal was hypointense on T1WI in 37 patients and isointense in six patients. The signal was hyperintense on T2WI in 25 lesions, hypointense on T2WI in 12 lesions and isointense in 6 lesions. Contrast was injected in 18 patients and the lesions showed variable degree of enhancement. MI?J showed lobulation of the lesion in 17 patients, hypointense margins in 18 patients, fluid.fluid level in 12 patients, central hypointense signal in four patients, soft tissue mass in three patients and oedema adjacent to lesion in six patients. Final diagnosis confirmed presence of aneurysmal bone cyst in nine patients, non ossdying fibroma in seven patients, giant cell tumour in seven patients, osteoblastoma in four patients, osteoid osteoma, enchondroma, chondroblastoma, metastases and fibrous dysplasia in two patients for each pathology. Eosinophilic granuloma, chondromyxoid fibroma, arteriovenous malformation, Ewing's sarcoma, simple bone cyst and small cell sarcoma in one patient for each pathology. MRI was able to asses the fluid and cellular contents of lesions, presence of haemorrhage, necrosis, borders of the lesion, presence of soft tissue mass and oedema adjacent to lesion that could limit differential diagnosis and the need for histopathologic confirmation