Radiation induced fatty marrow replacement

Case contributed by Ian Bickle
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Back pain. Previous history of gynecological cancer, which including radiotherapy treatment.

Patient Data

Age: 60 years
Gender: Female

High signal on both T1 and T2 in a very demarcated fashion involving L2 to the sacrum.

No focal bone lesion.

Conus and cauda equina normal. 

Case Discussion

This example shows fatty replacement of the bone marrow due to radiation therapy. After 3-6 weeks marrow cellularity is replaced by central fat predominantly surrounding the basivertebral veins.  Hence on all MRI sequences in the zone of radiation therapy, the bones return signal consistently with fat.

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