Rapid Increase in Marrow Fat Content and Decrease in Marrow Perfusion in Lumbar Vertebra Following Bilateral Oophorectomy: An MR Imaging-Based Prospective Longitudinal Study

ObjectiveBilateral oophorectomy leads to reduced bone mineral density (BMD), and reduced BMD is associated with increased marrow fat and reduced marrow perfusion. Purpose of this study was to investigate how soon these changes occur following surgical oophorectomy.ResultsReduced BMD, increased marrow FF, and reduced marrow perfusion occurred synchronously post-oophorectomy. There was a sharp decrease of 12.5 ± 7.2% in BMD (n = 6), a sharp increase of 92.2 ± 46.3% (n = 6) in FF, a sharp decrease of 23.6 ± 3.9% in maximum contrast enhancement (n = 5), and of 45.4 ± 7.7% for enhancement slope (n = 5) during the initial 3 months post surgery. BMD and marrow perfusion continued to decrease, and marrow FF continued to increase at a slower rate during the following 18 months. Friedman test showed a significant trend for these changes (p < 0.05).ConclusionBilateral oophorectomy leads to a rapid decrease in lumbar BMD, an increase in marrow fat content, and a decrease in marrow blood perfusion.