Extraosseous multiple myeloma: imaging spectrum in the abdomen and pelvis

Imaging of Multiple Myeloma: Present and Future

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common adult hematologic malignancy, and early intervention increases survival in asymptomatic high-risk patients. Imaging is crucial for the diagnosis and follow-up of MM, as the detection of bone and bone marrow lesions often dictates the decision to start treatment. Low-dose whole-body computed tomography (CT) is the modality of choice for the initial assessment, and dual-energy CT is a developing technique with the potential for detecting non-lytic marrow infiltration and evaluating the response to treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is more sensitive and specific than 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) for the detection of small focal lesions and diffuse marrow infiltration. However, FDG-PET/CT is recommended as the modality of choice for follow-up. Recently, diffusion-weighted MRI has become a new technique for the quantitative assessment of disease burden and therapy response. Although not widespread, we address current proposals for structured reporting to promote standardization and diminish variations. This review provides an up-to-date overview of MM imaging, indications, advantages, limitations, and recommended reporting of each technique. We also cover the main differential diagnosis and pitfalls and discuss the ongoing controversies and future directions, such as PET-MRI and artificial intelligence.

Computed tomography with adjusted dose for body mass index may be superior to whole-body radiography especially in elderly patients with multiple myeloma

BACKGROUND

Whole-body skeletal radiography has traditionally been used in the management of multiple myeloma for defining treatment strategies. For several reasons, radiography has been replaced by computed tomography (CT) covering the same regions.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the body mass index (BMI) adjusted effective radiation dose from two different methods of whole-body radiologic imaging for multiple myeloma assessment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The current investigation analyses the dose to patients resulting from the two methods, conventional radiography supplemented with tomosynthesis (203 examinations) and CT (264 examinations). All patients subject to myeloma staging for 4.5 years were included in the study. Exposure parameters were collected from the PACS and conversion factors were calculated using the software packages PCXMC and VirtualDose enabling the calculation of the effective dose to each patient based on BMI. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparisons between groups.

RESULTS

Patients were subject to a median effective dose of 2.5 mSv for conventional radiography and 5.1 mSv for CT, a statistically significant difference.

CONCLUSION

The effective dose for whole-body CT in assessing multiple myeloma is twice as high as for whole-body skeletal survey with modern digital radiography, but at a low level and considerably less than the levels quoted in the earlier studies of ∼30 mSv when the technique was first explored.

Apical lung mass—A rare presentation of multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a neoplastic proliferation of immunoglobulin-producing plasma cells with clinical features resulting from infiltration of plasma cells into bones and other organs. Multiple myeloma manifesting as an apical lung mass is less common and very few cases have been reported. We report the case of a 50-year-old female who presented with an apical lung mass which happened to be multiple myeloma arising from the upper ribs into the lung. At the time of diagnosis, patient had axillary lymph node metastasis with extensive bony involvement. This case report and literature review provides insight to a rare but significant presentation of multiple myeloma and highlights the need to consider multiple myeloma as a possible differential for Pancoast tumor in the appropriate clinical setting as this could potentially affect management options and patient outcome.

Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WBMRI) versus whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) for myeloma imaging and staging

Myeloma-associated bone disease (MBD) develops in about 80-90% of patients and severely affects their quality of life, as it accounts for the majority of mortality and morbidity. Imaging in multiple myeloma (MM) and MBD is of utmost importance in order to detect bone and bone marrow lesions as well as extraosseous soft-tissue masses and complications before the initiation of treatment. It is required for determination of the stage of disease and aids in the assessment of treatment response. Whole-body low-dose computed tomography (WBLDCT) is the key modality to establish the initial diagnosis of MM and is now recommended as reference standard procedure for the detection of lytic destruction in MBD. In contrast, whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WBMRI) has higher sensitivity for the detection of focal and diffuse plasma cell infiltration patterns of the bone marrow and identifies them prior to osteolytic destruction. It is recommended for the evaluation of spinal and vertebral lesions, while functional, diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI-MRI) is a promising tool for the assessment of treatment response. This review addresses the current improvements and limitations of WBCT and WBMRI for diagnosis and staging in MM, underlining the fact that both modalities offer complementary information. It further summarizes the corresponding radiological findings and novel technological aspects of both modalities.