I was diagnosed with MGUS in April of 2016. As part of the work up, I received a skeletal survey. At that time, two lesions were identified on the spinal cord. Due to the location of the lesions, the oncologist did not want to biopsy them and ordered an MRI bone marrow blood supply instead.
How common is this procedure and was it appropriate for identifying the makeup of the spinal lesions? I have since found out there is controversy around the use of this imaging and whether it is helpful or not. Should I be confident in the outcome of the results or do further testing?
Thank you very much for your help!
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Re: MRI bone marrow blood supply - is it common?
WendyB
I have had probably 10 bone marrow supply MRIs. I believe they are referred to as DWiBS, short for "diffusion weighted blood supply". Not very many places do them. I don't fully understand your concern. I don't believe there is any risk associated with them. There is no radiation. If you are concerned about cost, there may be other tests I would inquire about before a DWiBS such as a PET/CT, but those are costly. But a DWiBS is a tool and more information is always better. I think you should be grateful your oncologist is thorough enough to inquire about the lesions. If it can't be accessed - I believe all you have left is to image it.
I too had lesions the oncologist preferred to aspirate a bone marrow sample from, but the interventional radiologist (I believe) didn't want to go after it in that location. They did aspirate other available lesions.
Best of luck,
Craig
I have had probably 10 bone marrow supply MRIs. I believe they are referred to as DWiBS, short for "diffusion weighted blood supply". Not very many places do them. I don't fully understand your concern. I don't believe there is any risk associated with them. There is no radiation. If you are concerned about cost, there may be other tests I would inquire about before a DWiBS such as a PET/CT, but those are costly. But a DWiBS is a tool and more information is always better. I think you should be grateful your oncologist is thorough enough to inquire about the lesions. If it can't be accessed - I believe all you have left is to image it.
I too had lesions the oncologist preferred to aspirate a bone marrow sample from, but the interventional radiologist (I believe) didn't want to go after it in that location. They did aspirate other available lesions.
Best of luck,
Craig
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blueblood - Name: Craig
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: MRI bone marrow blood supply - is it common?
Very interesting, thank you for your response.
I personally have no issue with the test and did feel my oncologist was leaving no stone unturned by ordering it. However, my insurance company is not willing to pay for it and is saying that this type of imaging is investigational only and medically unnecessary. I haven't pursued it with them yet, but the letter they sent made me question the procedure.
Thank you for responding with your own experience. I actually felt very grateful that my oncologist would go to such great lengths to identify the lesions, which turned out to be hemangiomas. I don't think he could have made that diagnosis without the use of the process.
I personally have no issue with the test and did feel my oncologist was leaving no stone unturned by ordering it. However, my insurance company is not willing to pay for it and is saying that this type of imaging is investigational only and medically unnecessary. I haven't pursued it with them yet, but the letter they sent made me question the procedure.
Thank you for responding with your own experience. I actually felt very grateful that my oncologist would go to such great lengths to identify the lesions, which turned out to be hemangiomas. I don't think he could have made that diagnosis without the use of the process.
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wbayman1959 - Name: WendyB
Re: MRI bone marrow blood supply - is it common?
Wendy B,
I realized I didn't actually answer your question. I don't know if a DWiBS will identify the 'make up' of the lesions. I participated in a clinical trial at a major myeloma center. It appeared Humana had a contract with them. A lot of tests had zero charges, indicating it was covered elsewhere in a contract, When agreeing to be in the trial, I was told some insurance companies may decline coverage, specifically related to imaging (MRIs and PET/CTs), and if I encountered problems they would try to help. There were no insurance problems whatsoever, so I don't know how sincere their offer to help financially actually was. But of all the patients I ran across in the trials, I don't recall any having insurance problems.
I am not a doctor, but I'd do a PET/CT if I could do only one.
In my 2 1/2 year journey, I have had 13 bone marrow biopsies and close to 12 MRIs, 11 DWiBS, and 11 PET/CT's.
Good Luck.
I realized I didn't actually answer your question. I don't know if a DWiBS will identify the 'make up' of the lesions. I participated in a clinical trial at a major myeloma center. It appeared Humana had a contract with them. A lot of tests had zero charges, indicating it was covered elsewhere in a contract, When agreeing to be in the trial, I was told some insurance companies may decline coverage, specifically related to imaging (MRIs and PET/CTs), and if I encountered problems they would try to help. There were no insurance problems whatsoever, so I don't know how sincere their offer to help financially actually was. But of all the patients I ran across in the trials, I don't recall any having insurance problems.
I am not a doctor, but I'd do a PET/CT if I could do only one.
In my 2 1/2 year journey, I have had 13 bone marrow biopsies and close to 12 MRIs, 11 DWiBS, and 11 PET/CT's.
Good Luck.
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blueblood - Name: Craig
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: MRI bone marrow blood supply - is it common?
Wow, thank you for that information. You really have been through it all!
Best of luck in the future!
Best of luck in the future!
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wbayman1959 - Name: WendyB
5 posts
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