Serous Atrophy: A Rare and Potentially Baffling Imaging Diagnosis

Authors

  • Nicholas G Kress Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, USA
  • Steve M Nelson Wright Patterson Medical Center, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3941/jrcr.5419

Abstract

Serous atrophy of the bone marrow (SABM) is a hematologic disorder characterized by progressive reduction in both fat cells and hematopoietic cells followed by deposition of gelatinous material. These findings are most commonly associated with cachectic disease states secondary to anorexia nervosa, chronic infection, or malignancy. Once manifested, these compositional changes of the marrow are detectable through MR imaging as diffuse signal abnormalities with an alteration of T1 and STIR signal characteristics.  Here, we present a 37-year old male with leukopenia and generalized musculoskeletal pain with imaging features consistent with SABM and review the literature on this uncommon condition.

A) Sagittal T1 and B) Sagittal STIR images of the right knee was performed showing inversion of signal characteristics (the subcutaneous fat and bone marrow on the T1-weighted image are diffusely low signal and STIR images are diffusely high signal). This was repeated due to presumed technical error with same result. C) Sagittal T1-weighted and STIR image D) show similar result in the lumbar spine and showing minimal subcutaneous fat. E) Coronal T1-weighted and STIR image F) showing inversion of signal and very little subcutaneous fat.

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Published

2025-02-13

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 10 (2024)

Section

Musculoskeletal Radiology

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of Radiology Case Reports

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