Atypical hemangioma and malignant lesions of spine: Can diffusion weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging help to differentiate?

ObjectiveThe aim of the work was directed to evaluate the value of diffusion weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in diagnosis, characterization and differentiation of atypical hemangioma and malignant lesions of spine.Materials and methodsThis study included three groups: group (A) 8 (33%) patients with metastatic bony lesions of spine, group (B) 6 (25%) patients with atypical hemangioma and group (C) 10 (42%) patients with typical hemangioma.All patients were presented with different degrees of back pain. MRI was done for all patients (including T1, T2, T2 fat suppression and DWI with IV contrast administration when needed). Complementary non contrast CT was also done.ResultsAtypical hemangioma and malignant lesions were low in T1 and high in T2 WI. Restricted diffusion and low ADC values were seen in metastasis compared with atypical hemangioma. Complementary CT revealed the lytic nature of malignant lesions while in hemangiomas, it showed their characteristic striated appearance.ConclusionDiffusion weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a useful tool in diagnosis, characterization and differentiation of atypical hemangioma and metastasis of spine.