SKELETAL COMPLICATIONS OF TYPE-I GAUCHER DISEASE - THE MAGNETIC-RESONANCE FEATURES

Abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are reported in six individuals with various skeletal complications of type I Gaucher disease. The changes were a nonhomogeneous reduction in both T1 and T2 marrow signals with increased T2 signals during avascular episodes. MRI proved an excellent technique for the assessment of bone marrow changes in Type I Gaucher disease and for assessing avascular complications. It was not able to differentiate between pseudo-osteomyelitis and pyogenic osteomyelitis without clinical correlation. The problems studied included the extent of intramedullary Gaucher cell infiltration, avascular necrosis of femoral heads, assessment of bone pain from pseudo-osteomyelitis and the relationship of skeletal disease to splenectomy. © 1990 The Royal College of Radiologists, 38 Portland Place, London W1N 3DG, UK. All rights reserved.