Assessment of Musculoskeletal Malignancies with Functional MR Imaging

Abstract

Functional MR imaging is the technique of choice to evaluate and manage malignant musculoskeletal masses. Advanced MR imaging sequences include chemical shift MR imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging with apparent diffusion coefficient mapping, MR spectroscopy imaging, and dynamic contrast-enhanced perfusion imaging. Functional MR imaging adds value to morphologic sequences in the detection, characterization, staging, and posttherapy assessment of malignant musculoskeletal malignancies. This article reviews the technical role of each functional sequence and their clinical applications to allow more confident decisions to be made. Multiparametric analysis of functional and anatomic MR sequences allows musculoskeletal tumors analysis to be improved.

Keywords: Bone tumors; Diffusion-weighted image; Dynamic contrast-enhanced perfusion imaging; MR imaging; Magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging; Malignant skeletal neoplasms; Soft tissue tumors.