The Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Myelodysplastic Syndromes or Leukemia

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide valuable information about regions of the bone marrow which are inaccessible to biopsy. MRI also is unique in characterizing normal and abnormal bone marrow because of its ability to distinguish fat from other tissues. In patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) or leukemia, marrow MRI is an important tool for accurate diagnosis and monitoring and may function as an adjunct to bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. In clinical practice, defining the anatomic distribution and extent of marrow involvement by MRI is of advantage in the management of patients with MDS or leukemia.