Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Radiologic Diagnosis of Spinal
Metastases
Natalie J. M. Dailey, Harvard Medical
Student Year III
Gillian Lieberman, MD
September 2002
2
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Our Patient’s Presenting Story
• 70 year old male
• Presents to the hospital for laparascopic
cholecystectomy
• Receives pre-operative chest x-ray
3
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Pre-operative Chest X-Ray: PA view
Findings:
From BIDMC PACS
Decreased volume
of right lung field
Material of density
greater than cortical
bone
Abnormal lobulated
pleural thickening
4
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Pre-operative Chest X-Ray:
lateral view
From BIDMC PACS
Findings:
Major fissure
Right middle lobe
opacity
Objects of density
greater than cortical bone
Loculations
5
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
What’s going on here?!!
6
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
The Importance of Obtaining a Full
Patient History
• Past history of renal cell carcinoma with
resection in 1999 (hence sutures)
• Past history of non-small cell lung carcinoma
with resection of right middle lobe 7/02 (hence
more sutures and decreased right lung volume)
• Current complaints of low back pain, urinary
retention, and paresthesias in right lower
extremity…
7
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Differential Diagnosis
Knowing that our patient has a history of two types of
cancer that frequently metastasize
Knowing of his symptoms of back pain and parasthesias
Metastatic Disease of the Spine must be at the top of our list.
8
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Differential Diagnosis for Chest X-Ray
Findings
Multiple myeloma-”punched out” lytic lesions
Paget’s-large, sclerotic bones;coarse trabeculae
Infection
Infarction
Trauma
Primary bone tumor
Juhl, JH, Crummy, AB, and Kuhlman, JE. Paul and Juhl’s Essentials of Radiologic
Imaging. Seventh edition. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins: New York, 1998.
9
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Common Bone Metastases–
Radiographic Appearance
Lytic Lesions:
Breast
Lungs
Kidney
Thyroid
Sclerotic Lesions:
Breast
Prostate
Juhl, JH, Crummy, AB, and Kuhlman, JE. Paul and Juhl’s Essentials of Radiologic Imaging.
Seventh edition. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins: New York, 1998.
10
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Example of Sclerotic
Lesions–
Comparison Patient I
Patient diagnosed with prostate
cancer
Courtesy of Ferris Hall, MD
Sclerotic bone lesions
11
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Common Sites of Bone Metastasis
Spine
Pelvis
Ribs
Skull
Proximal humerus or femur
Juhl, JH, Crummy, AB, and Kuhlman, JE. Paul and Juhl’s Essentials of Radiologic Imaging.
Seventh edition. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins: New York, 1998.
12
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Classical Presentation of Metastatic
Bone Disease
History of new onset bone pain (present in our
patient)
Pathologic fracture (no current indication of this)
Juhl, JH, Crummy, AB, and Kuhlman, JE. Paul and Juhl’s Essentials of Radiologic Imaging.
Seventh edition. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins: New York, 1998.
13
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
How to Work Up Possible Spinal
Metastases
If no symptoms, first do a bone scan.
If positive scan, perform focused radiography.
If symptoms, evaluate sites of pain by
radiography.
If radiograph is negative or equivocal, perform
bone scan.
Juhl, JH, Crummy, AB, and Kuhlman, JE. Paul and Juhl’s Essentials of Radiologic
Imaging. Seventh edition. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins: New York, 1998.
14
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
How to Work Up Possible Spinal
Metastases (cont’d)
If radiograph and bone scan disagree,
remember that bone scan is more sensitive.
Use CT or MRI as follow-up study.
Juhl, JH, Crummy, AB, and Kuhlman, JE. Paul and Juhl’s Essentials of Radiologic
Imaging. Seventh edition. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins: New York, 1998.
15
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Skeletal Scintigraphy
Nuclide usually polyphosphates labeled
with technetium-99
IV injection
Visualization after 2 hours
Increased uptake in areas of increased bone
turnover: tumor, infection, fracture,
arthritis, periostitis
Juhl, JH, Crummy, AB, and Kuhlman, JE. Paul and Juhl’s Essentials of Radiologic Imaging.
Seventh edition. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins: New York, 1998.
16
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Bone Scan of Spinal
Metastases-Comparison
Patient II
Patient with renal cell carcinoma
metastatic disease
Lesions with increased uptake
Enlarged soft tissue due
to lymphedema
Courtesy of K.P. Donohoe, MD.
17
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD Bone Scan of Spinal
Metastases-
Comparison Patient
III
Patient with colon cancer
Areas of increased
radionuclide uptake
likely to be metastatic
disease
Courtesy of K.P. Donohoe, MD
Area of increased
uptake likely to be
degenerative joint
disease
18
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD Findings on Abdominal
X-Ray- Comparison
Patient III
PA view:
“Pedicle sign”–
destruction of cortical
outline of pedicle
Malalignment
Increased
radiolucency or
radiopacity
From BIDMC PACS Courtesy of K.P. Donohoe, MD.
19
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD Findings on Chest X-
Ray– Comparison
Patient III(cont’d)
Lateral view:
Compression
fractures/vertebral
body collapse
Changes in bone
density
Cortical destruction
Nearby soft tissue
mass
From BIDMC PACS Courtesy of K.P. Donohoe, M.D.
20
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
After Radiography
Although our patient did not exhibit classical signs of
spinal metastases on plain radiographic studies, his
history indicates a high suspicion for metastatic disease.
What comes next?
21
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
CT vs. MR
Advantages of CT
Better visualization of
cortical destruction
Good visualization of
replacement of fatty
marrow with soft
tissue density of
metastasis
Advantages of MR
Visualizes the
relationship between
the vertebra and spinal
cord (neurological
symptoms)
No need to inject
contrast to view
vascular structures
Juhl, JH, Crummy, AB, and Kuhlman, JE. Paul and Juhl’s Essentials of Radiologic
Imaging. Seventh edition. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins: New York, 1998.
22
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Axial Spinal Anatomy
From Digital Anatomist: http://www9.biostr.washington.edu/cgi-bin/DA/imageform
Vertebral Body
Spinal Cord
Rib
Paraspinal Musculature
Lungs
Sternum
23
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Anatomy (cont’d)– Vertebral Detail
Pedicle
Neural Foramen
Spinous Process
Spinal Cord
CSF Space
Exiting vertebral nerve
From Digital Anatomist: http://www9.biostr.washington.edu/cgi-bin/DA/imageform
24
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Our Patient’s CT Scan
From BIDMC PACS
Findings with Lung
Window Settings:
Loculated Pleural
Effusion (13 HU
indicating fluid);
probably resulting
from resection of RML
25
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Our Patient’s CT Scan (cont’d)
From BIDMC PACS
Change in density
within vertebral body
Loss of cortical
margin
Findings with CT Bone
Window:
26
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Characteristics of MR Studies
T1-weighted images are best for determining
extent of marrow involvement
T2-weighted images are best for examining
cortical bone destruction and soft-tissue extension
T2 with fat suppression: signal from fat is
suppressed allowing for better contrast between
normal and diseased bone marrow and better
visualization of free water/edema
Juhl, JH, Crummy, AB, and Kuhlman, JE. Paul and Juhl’s Essentials of Radiologic Imaging.
Seventh edition. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins: New York, 1998.
Stabler, A. Imaging of spinal infection. Radiol Clin North Am. 39(1): 115-135.
27
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Our Patient’s MR Study
From BIDMC PACS
Findings on T1-weighted
Image (sagittal view):
Low-signal intensity
lesions in vertebral bodies
(Normal marrow should
approach the brightness of
subcutaneous fat.)
CSF– low-signal
intensity
28
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Our Patient’s MR Study (cont’d)
From BIDMC PACS
More Findings on T1-
Weighted Imaging
(Axial View):
No apparent
impingement of spinal
cord
Involvement of right
pedicle
Low-signal intensity
lesion in vertebral body
29
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Our Patient’s MR Study
(cont’d)
From BIDMC PACS
Findings on T1-
Weighted Image
(sagittal view):
Low-signal intensity
lesions in vertebral
bodies
CSF– low-intensity
signal
Bright subcutaneous fat
30
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Our Patient’s MR Study (cont’d)
From BIDMC PACS
Findings on T2-
Weighted Image:
CSF– high-
signal intensity
Lesions within
vertebral body
Obliteration of
neural foramen
(compare with
other side)
31
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Our Patient’s MR Study (cont’d)
From BIDMC PACS
Findings on T2-weighted
image with fat
suppression:
Unsuppressed
marrow lesions (Signal
from normal marrow
should be suppressed
with fat.)
Degenerative change
32
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD Our Patient’s MR Study
(cont’d)
Findings on T2-weighted
image with fat suppression:
Unsuppressed marrow
lesions (indicating the
presence of edema)
Compression fracture
From BIDMC PACS
33
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
So what do we do now that we know that
it’s metastatic disease?
34
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Reasons for Performing CT-guided Bone
Biopsy
Distinguish between metastatic disease and
infection
To make a pathological diagnosis in order
to determine further treatment (especially in
our case with two primary malignancies)
Juhl, JH, Crummy, AB, and Kuhlman, JE. Paul and Juhl’s Essentials of Radiologic Imaging.
Seventh edition. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins: New York, 1998.
35
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Approach for CT-Guided Bone Biopsy
From BIDMC PACS
36
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Pathology Results:
Atypical squamous cells consistent with non-small cell lung
cancer.
Types of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Cotran, RS, Kumar, V, and Collins, T. Robbins Pathological Basis of Disease.
Sixth edition. W.B. Saunders Company: Philadelphia, 1999.
37
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Treatment Options/Prognosis
Because our patient has widespread metastatic
disease, his most likely treatment option is
radiation therapy. This therapy is only
palliative. It is likely to reduce his pain and
may decrease any compression on his spinal
cord, possibly ameliorating his neurological
symptoms.
However, his five-year survival probability is
very low.
Abeloff, MD, Armitage, JO, Lichter, AS, and Niederhuber, JE. Clinical Oncology. Second
edition. Churchill Livingstone: New York, 2000.
38
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Summary of Course of Action for
Metastases
1. Bone Scan/Plain Film Radiography
depending on whether or not the patient is
symptomatic
2. CT and/or MRI
3. Bone Biopsy for Pathological Diagnosis, if
necessary
39
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Special thanks to:
Chad Brecher, MD
K.P. Donohoe, MD
Daniel Saurborn, MD
Ferris Hall, MD
Pamela Lepkowski
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Larry Barbaras and Cara Lyn D’amour
40
Natalie J. M. Dailey
Gillian Lieberman, MD
References
Abeloff, MD, Armitage, JO, Lichter, AS, and Niederhuber, JE. Clinical Oncology.
Second edition. Churchill Livingstone: New York, 2000.
Cotran, RS, Kumar, V, and Collins, T. Robbins Pathological Basis of Disease. Sixth
edition. W.B. Saunders Company: Philadelphia, 1999.
Digital Anatomist: http://www9.biostr.washington.edu/cgi-bin/DA/imageform
Juhl, JH, Crummy, AB, and Kuhlman, JE. Paul and Juhl’s Essentials of Radiologic
Imaging. Seventh edition. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins: New York, 1998.
Stabler, A. Imaging of spinal infection. Radiol Clin North Am. 39(1): 115-135.
Radiologic Diagnosis of Spinal Metastases
Our Patient’s Presenting Story
Pre-operative Chest X-Ray: PA view
Pre-operative Chest X-Ray:�lateral view
What’s going on here?!!
The Importance of Obtaining a Full Patient History
Differential Diagnosis
Differential Diagnosis for Chest X-Ray Findings
Common Bone Metastases– Radiographic Appearance
Example of Sclerotic Lesions– Comparison Patient I
Common Sites of Bone Metastasis
Classical Presentation of Metastatic Bone Disease
How to Work Up Possible Spinal Metastases
How to Work Up Possible Spinal Metastases (cont’d)
Skeletal Scintigraphy
Bone Scan of Spinal Metastases-Comparison Patient II
Bone Scan of Spinal Metastases-Comparison Patient III
Findings on Abdominal X-Ray- Comparison Patient III
Findings on Chest X-Ray– Comparison Patient III(cont’d)
After Radiography
CT vs. MR
Axial Spinal Anatomy
Anatomy (cont’d)– Vertebral Detail
Our Patient’s CT Scan
Our Patient’s CT Scan (cont’d)
Characteristics of MR Studies
Our Patient’s MR Study
Our Patient’s MR Study (cont’d)
Our Patient’s MR Study (cont’d)
Our Patient’s MR Study (cont’d)
Our Patient’s MR Study (cont’d)
Our Patient’s MR Study (cont’d)
So what do we do now that we know that it’s metastatic disease?
Reasons for Performing CT-guided Bone Biopsy
Approach for CT-Guided Bone Biopsy
Pathology Results:
Treatment Options/Prognosis
Summary of Course of Action for Metastases
Special thanks to:
References