Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging after bone marrow harvest-a retrospective study in 50 unrelated marrow donors.

Summary:A total of 50 unrelated marrow donors were examined by pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate the morphological sequelae of bone marrow harvesting (BMH). Signal increase in T2-weighted sequences and contrast media enhancement in T1 sequences at the operative sites were found as typical MRI morphology 4 weeks after harvest (group A, n=16), corresponding to edema, hyperemia and proliferative activity. Although tissue repair was completed in the majority of donors 1 year after BMH, about 36%of donors in group B (n=16) had abnormal findings. These included a persistence of the‘acute injury’signal pattern (2/16, 12%), and signal alterations due to fatty marrow conversion (4/16, 24%). The proportion of MRI abnormalities increased to over 70%in two-time donors (group C, n=11), which might indicate a cumulation of tissue damage after repetitive harvests. If donors had experienced prolonged discomfort after BMH (group D, n=7), MRI revealed pathological signals in 86%. In conclusion, the MRI morphology reflects the pathophysiological reactions after BMH, including inflammation and tissue repair. A further prospective evaluation in a larger number of donors is necessary to confirm these results and to identify the factors which influence the extent and duration of tissue damage.Bone Marrow Transplantation (2005) 35, 667-673. doi:10.1038/sj.bmt.1704873 Published online 21 February 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]