MRI Studies Of Bone Marrow In Patients With Leukemia Before-and After-Transplantation Of Haemopoietic Stem Cell

Objective: To analysis MRI findings of bone marrow in patients with leukemia before and after transplantation of haemopoietic stem cell.Methods: 40 patients were divided into 3 groups, 15 in the control group,21 in the without recurrence after transplantation group and 4 in the recurrence after transplantation group. MRI scan was performed in all patients. MRI was used to show marrows in pelvic, shaft of femur and lumbar vertebrae by using SE T1WI, STIR, DWI and routine contrast enhanced T1WI. ADC values of bone marrow were measured in workstation AW4.0. The data measured were analyzed statistically by using t-test. Bone marrow biopsy was performed in all the patients of the transplantation group in 4 days before or after MRI scan.Results: In the control group, with the increasing age, signals of bone marrows on T1WI increased, and signals of bone marrows on STIR/ DWI reduced and more nonuniform. in the without recurrence after transplantation group: there were higher signals in the marrows in iliac bone and lumbar vertebrae on T1WI, and lower signals on STIR and DWI, and lower contrast-enhancement ratio on contrast enhanced T1WI. in the recurrence after transplantation group: there were lower spot signals on T1WI, and high signals on STIR/DWI. The lesions of recurrence were displayed more clearly on DWI. In patients without recurrence before and after transplantation, there were statistical significance in ADC values of marrow between iliac bone and lumbar vertebrae(P<0.05). In the control group and patients without recurrence after transplantation, there were no statistical significance in ADC values of marrow between iliac bone and lumbar vertebrae(P>0.05). In all patients, there were no statistical significance in ADC values of marrow in femoral bone (P>0.05). ADC values of marrow in patients with recurrence were higher. Pathology of marrow showed active or significant hyperplasia in patients without recurrence before transplantation, and the percent of original prorubricyte was 5% to 10%. Pathology of marrow showed hypoplasia or active hyperplasia in those patients after transplantation, and the percent of original prorubricyte was near to or in normal extent. Pathology of marrow showed significant hyperplasia in patients with recurrence, and the percent of original prorubricyte was greater than 30%.Conlusion: Pathology changes of bone marrow before and after transplantation can be reflected by MRI. MRI is an effective way to evaluate and monitor marrows of patients with leukemia after transplantation of haemopoietic stem cell.