Single shot fast spin echo diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the spine; Is it useful in differentiating malignant metastatic tumor infiltration from benign fracture edema?

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the usefulness of single shot fast spin echo diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWSSFSE) in differentiating malignant metastatic tumor infiltration of vertebral bone marrow from benign vertebral fracture edema.

Materials And Methods: Forty-six consecutive patients with 59 acute osteoporotic or traumatic vertebral fractures (mean age = 59) and 31 patients with 98 vertebral metastasis including 20 pathologic fractures (mean age = 53) were included in this study. Diffusion-weighted MR images were obtained by single-shot fast spin echo technique with diffusion gradient (b = 500 s/mm2, TR/TE: 5002/99) by using a 1.