Magnetic resonance imaging of bone metastases in patients with nonseminomatous germ cell tumors

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Michael Froehner - , Department of Urology (Author)
  • Peter Aikele - , Institute and Polyclinic of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology (Author)
  • Bettina Beuthien-Baumann - , Department of Nuclear Medicine (Author)
  • Thomas Kittner - , Institute and Polyclinic of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology (Author)
  • Sven Oehlschlaeger - , Department of Urology (Author)
  • Manfred P. Wirth - , Department of Urology (Author)

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of bone metastases in nonseminomatous germ cell tumors. Methods and Materials: There were 5 consecutive patients with bone metastases from nonseminomatous germ cell tumors treated between 2003 and 2006 who underwent imaging studies, including MRI. The characteristic imaging findings are discussed in the light of the clinical course. Results: Of the 5 patients, 3 had symptoms related to bone involvement at diagnosis. All patients received conventional x-ray of their bony lesions, but only 1 of them was considered abnormal. Skeletal MRI was obtained in all patients. A bone scan was available in 3 cases with spinal involvement. It was normal in 1 case and detected only a minority of the lesions visible on MRI in the other 2 cases. Follow-up MRIs were available in all patients. A partial resolution of bone involvement during chemotherapy was observed in only 1 of them. In 2 cases, there was a slight progression of a diffuse alteration of the bone marrow during treatment. In 1 patient, severe spinal bone marrow changes were visible on MRI 2 years after cessation of treatment without evidence of disease recurrence. Conclusions: MRI may disclose bone metastases in nonseminomatous germ cell tumors, which otherwise may be missed. MRI findings of bone lesions during treatment do not directly reflect the course of the disease and have to be interpreted with caution using clinical information.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)201-206
Number of pages6
JournalUrologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations
Volume25
Issue number3
Publication statusPublished - May 2007
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 17483016

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Bone metastases, Bone scan, Germ cell tumor, Magnetic resonance imaging, Residual masses