A group of European researchers recently published an extensive review of the imaging techniques cur­rently used in the diag­nosis and follow-up of multiple myeloma and related diseases.

The researchers assessed the benefits and limitations of several dif­fer­ent imaging techniques, in­­clud­ing traditional X-rays, computed to­mog­ra­phy (CT), com­bined positron emission to­mog­ra­phy and CT scan­ning (PET/CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

According to the researchers, the whole-body X-ray skeletal survey re­mains the method of choice for the detection of bone lesions. However, they point out that whole-body CT may replace whole-body X-ray skeletal surveys, because …

The results of a recent retrospective analysis show that whole-body CT scans are superior to x-rays in the detection of bone lesions in multiple myeloma patients.

Dr. Kelechi Princewill from the University of Maryland in Baltimore presented these findings at the American Roentgen Ray Society annual meeting  in Vancouver, Canada, earlier this month.

“Low-dose, whole-body CT was significantly better than [x-rays] in detecting lesions in the spine, ribs, sternum, and flat bones,” said Dr. Princewill.

Bone destruction is a common clinical feature of multiple myeloma. Lesions form when bone destroying cells, called …