Sclerotic bone lesions at abdominal magnetic resonance imaging in children with tuberous sclerosis complex

Abstract

Background: Sclerotic bone lesions are often seen on chest CT in adults with tuberous sclerosis complex.

Objective: To characterize bone lesions at abdominal MRI in children with tuberous sclerosis complex.

Materials and methods: This retrospective review included 70 children with tuberous sclerosis complex who had undergone abdominal MRI for renal imaging. An additional longitudinal study was performed in 50 children who had had two or more MRI scans. Abdominal CT (eight children) and radiographs (three children) were reviewed and compared with MRI.

Results: A total of 173 sclerotic bone lesions were detected in 51/70 children (73%; 95% confidence interval: 0.61-0.82) chiefly affecting vertebral pedicles. New lesions appeared in 20 children and growth of previous sclerotic bone lesions was documented in 14 children. Sclerotic bone lesions were more frequent in girls and in children with more extensive renal involvement.

Conclusion: Sclerotic bone lesions are commonly detected by abdominal MRI in children with tuberous sclerosis complex. They usually affect posterior vertebral elements and their number and size increase with age. As current recommendations for tuberous sclerosis complex surveillance include renal MR performed in childhood, recognition of these lesions is useful.

Keywords: Bone; Children; Magnetic resonance imaging; Sclerotic bone lesions; Tuberous sclerosis complex.