Radiation induced marrow changes in the spine

Case contributed by Ian Bickle
Diagnosis certain

Patient Data

Age: 70 years
Gender: Male

Markedly high T1 and T2 signal change in the clivus, cervical spine and first three thoracic vertebrae.  

Incidental hemangioma in T5.   Otherwise, the mid and distal thoracic vertebra bone marrow signal is normal.

Case Discussion

These are the chronic changes of fatty marrow replacement following prior radiation therapy.

The very delineated fashion of the changes are a clue even if the information was not freely provided as in this case. 

On reviewing the patients prior radiology investigations it revealed a history of head and neck cancer treated with surgery and radiotherapy several years earlier. 

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