Assessments of Correlation between Findings of MRI, CT and Whole-Body Bone Scan in Detection of Bone Lesions in Known Cases of Metastatic Cancer

Abstract

Background & Objectives: The complexity of determining presence and distribution of bone metastases is due to morphological, time-related and location-related variations. Different imaging modalities have been used in this regard, with benefits and shortcomings of each. This study aims to study the correlation between isotope scanning, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computer tomography (CT) findings and bone metastases. Material and Methods: Of 152 patients with cancer, 46 patients with bone metastases were investigated within 10 months in Imam Reza educational Center in a cross-sectional study. Conformity and nonconformity between the findings obtained by radioisotope scanning, MRI and CT scanning with the presence or absence of bone metastases were investigated. Results: 20 men and 26 women with the mean age of 61.02±12.63 (range 35-84) years were studied. Radioisotope scanning yielded positive results for bone metastases in 42 out of 46 patients (91.3%), MRI was positive in 34 out of 42 patients (81%), and CT scanning was positive in 29 out of 44 patients (65.9%). There was significant concordance rate between isotope scan and MRI (kappa=0.35, p=0.003, concordance rate of 85.7%), between radioisotope scan and CT (kappa=0.20, p=0.05, concordance rate of 70.5%), and between MRI and CT scan (kappa=0.44, p=0.004, concordance rate of 80%) for conforming or ruling out bone metastases. Conclusion: There were significant concordances between the finding of radioisotope scan, MRI and CT scan for diagnosis of bone metastases.