Dual energy CT and research of the bone marrow edema: Comparison with MRI imaging

Aims: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the Dual Energy Computed Tomography (DECT) in the research of the bone marrow edema. Methods and Material: The MRI images of 100 patients with episodes of articular and or bone pains with or without traumatic lesion were prospectively evaluated during a period between March 2018 and February 2019. In the presence of bone marrow edema, a DECT was performed. The measurement of the density of the bone marrow edema in the DECT was compared with healthy bone in the same patient by two operators. Result: The DECT and MRI images of 15 patients with bone marrow edema were compared. The mean of pathologic bone marrow edema was 1008.20 (Standard Deviation (SD) 23.00), for healthy bone marrow 947.53 (SD 16.42), and t = 11.75, with a statistical significance P < 0.05 (Statistical significance 95%). The agreement between the measurements of the two radiologists has a statistical significance (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The DECT presents an excellent diagnostic accuracy to detect the bone marrow edema, comparable to MRI. The utility of these recent possibilities is maximum where access to MRI is still very difficult.