Is total-body MRI useful as a screening tool to rule out malignant progression in patients with multiple osteochondromas? Results in a single-center cohort of 319 adult patients

To evaluate the results of total-body (TB) MRI used as a screening tool for assessment or exclusion of malignant transformation in patients with hereditary multiple osteochondromas (HMO).

In a single-institute cohort of MO patients, 366 TB-MRI examinations, including T1-weighted and STIR images, were performed for screening and follow-up purposes to rule out the malignant transformation, and retrospectively analyzed. In each patient, the presence and location of osteochondromas in the axial and appendicular bones were recorded. Forty-seven patients underwent a second TB surveillance in this period. STIR sequences were used to identify sites of increased signal intensity that could represent suspicious thickened cartilage caps or indeterminate reactive changes related to osteochondromas.

In 82% of patients, one or more OC locations were determined in one or more flat bones. In 366 exams, nine OC (2,5 %) with suspicious imaging features were identified. These proved to be peripheral chondrosarcomas after targeted MRI and resection were performed. All nine malignant lesions were in flat bones (pelvis 5, ribs 3, scapula 1). Three of these patients were 19 years of age. In 12 patients who had peripheral or intraosseous low-grade chondrosarcoma in their history, before their first TB-MRI, no new lesions were identified. Twenty-three additional TB-MRI exams, demonstrating focal high T2 signal intensity, also gave rise to performing additional targeted MRI. One OC of the distal femur was excised and appeared benign. No suspicious cartilage caps were depicted on the remaining 22 targeted MRI exams but instead increased T2 signal was clarified by reactive changes (frictional bursitis, soft tissue edema) in close relation with benign osteochondromas. No malignant lesions were found in 47 patients who had a second TB surveillance (mean interval between exams 3.2 years, range 2–5 years).

TB-MRI can identify malignant transformation of osteochondromas in HMO patients. All peripheral chondrosarcomas occurred in flat bones (ribs, scapula, pelvis) in our study. TB-MRI might assist in triage between higher risk patients with a high burden of OC, including the location of OC in main flat bones vs lower risk patients without OC of the flat bones.