Focal Nodular Marrow Hyperplasia: Imaging Features of 53 Cases

Objective: To describe the characteristic imaging features of focal nodular marrow hyperplasia (FNMH).

Methods And Materials: Retrospective review of all patients with a diagnosis of FNMH between January 2007 and September 2019.

Results: The study included 53 patients, 7 males and 46 females with a mean age of 58 years (range 12-95 years). All had MRI with conventional spin echo sequences showing a poorly defined round/oval lesion with mild W iso/hyperintensity compared to skeletal muscle, low W turbo spin echo (TSE) signal intensity (SI) compared to marrow fat and variable SI on STIR, but never associated with reactive marrow oedema. All 53 patients had follow-up MRI, with all lesions remaining stable or partially resolving. In-phase (IP) and out-of-phase (OP) chemical shift imaging (CSI) was obtained in 31 of these, with 28 (90.3%) showing >20% SI drop on the OP sequence, while 3 (9.7%) demonstrated <20% SI drop. CT was available in 26 cases, 17 (65.4%) showing mild medullary sclerosis. Single-photon emission computed tomography CT (SPECT-CT) was available in four cases and Flourodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography CT (FDG PET-CT) in 2, all showing increased uptake. Focal uptake was also seen in three of eight patients who had undergone whole body bone scintigraphy. Only one lesion was biopsied, confirming FNMH.

Conclusion: The imaging appearances of FNMH have been described on various modalities, particularly MRI with emphasis on the role of IP and OP CSI typically demonstrating >20% SI reduction. FNMH should be recognised and treated as a 'do not touch' lesion which does not require biopsy or prolonged follow-up.

Advances In Knowledge: We describe and clarify the imaging characteristics of FNMH on MRI, including CSI, CT and various nuclear medicine modalities. An imaging algorithm is suggested for allowing a non-invasive diagnosis.