Multi-parametric MR imaging using apparent diffusion coefficient and fat fraction in quantification of bone marrow in pediatrics with Gaucher disease.

Objective: To assess multi-parametric MR imaging with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fat fraction (FF) in detection and quantification of bone marrow involvement in pediatric patients with Gaucher disease.

Methods: This study was conducted upon 29 pediatric patients with Gaucher disease and 13 age and sex matched controls that underwent diffusion-weighted MR imaging and dual-echo gradient recalled echo imaging. The ADC and FF of the bone marrow were calculated.

Results: There was significant difference in ADC (P = 0.001) and FF (P = 0.001) of bone marrow between patients and controls. The cutoff ADC and FF differentiate patients from controls were 0.47 × 10-3 mm2/s and 0.36 with area under the curve of 0.947 and 0.885 and accuracy of 86.5% and 83.8% respectively. There was significant difference in ADC (P = 0.001) and FF (P = 0.001) between untreated (n = 17) and treated (n = 12) patients. The cutoff ADC and FF differentiate untreated from treated patients were 0.39 × 10-3 mm2/s and 0.27 with area under curve of 0.886 and 0.851 and accuracy of 88% and 84% respectively.

Conclusions: Multi-parametric MR imaging using ADC and FF are quantitative imaging parameters that can be used for detection and quantification of vertebral bone marrow involvement in pediatric patients with Gaucher disease.