Fibrous Dysplasia-MRI

Fibrous dysplasia - Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a benign condition associated with normal bone marrow replacement by proliferative fibro-osseous tissue with varied quantities of stroma and bone. FD may affect only one (monostotic form) or multiple bones (polyostotic form). It is a relatively common disease and is most frequent in teenagers and young adults.
Affected bones will be expanded and strongly enhance after intravenous contrast medium injection. A noncontrasted CT scan with bone algorithm will show the classic "ground glass" appearance of fibrous dysplasia. MRI shows homogeneous low signal on T1WI, unless there is pathological fracture. On T2WI, the lesion is heterogeneous depending on the amount of fibro-osseous tissue, cellularity, cystic alterations, hemorrhage and cartilaginous tissue. The lesions usually have well defined borders. All the sequences show a hypointense halo that corresponds to sclerotic margins. MRI is the modality of choice to demonstrate the internal structures of the lesion and evaluate disease extension, especially in cases due for surgical treatment.

Case by-Dr.Sumer K Sethi, MD

Consultant Radiologist ,VIMHANS and CEO-Teleradiology Providers

Editor-in-chief, The Internet Journal of Radiology

Director, DAMS (Delhi Academy of Medical Sciences)