J Korean Radiol Soc.  1990 Oct;26(5):1038-1046. 10.3348/jkrs.1990.26.5.1038.

Multiple myeloma : 45 cases -plain X-ray and bone scan-

• Yang HC
• Suh JS
• Park CY

• KMID: 2358827
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.1990.26.5.1038

Abstract

We evaluated 45 cases of multiple myelomas retrospectively confirmed in Severance hospital from the period of1983-1989, in order to assess the radiologic features of the multiple myeloma and to assist in possible earlydiagnosis and treatment. The rsults were as follows: 1. IgG(41%) was the most common immunoglobulin type secretedfollowed by light chain(36%), IgD(2%). Two percent of the patients had non-secretory type. 89% of patients were intheir stage III of the disease. 2. Among the 45 patients, 96% had abnormal plain radiographic findings withaverage number of 4.5 lesions. Common sites were the spine, rib, skull, pelvis, and humerus in descending orders.The findings were localized or diffuse osteolytic bone destruction (85%), osteoporosis(49%), pathologic fractureand endosteal scalloping (55%). Osteoporosis was more prominant in stage III than stage II. 3. Both plain X-rayand radioisotope study was available for comparison in 28 patients. Concordance between the two studies were 44%,lesions detected only on plain X-ray film were 51%, and lesions detected only on the radioisotope were 5%. Theplain radiography was able to detect only 54% of bone lesions confirmed by bone marrow biopsy. With the aboveresults, accurate evaluation of bone lesions in multiple myeloma may be difficult with radiologic studies only.But familiarity with these radiologic findings of this disease entity is necessary for early suspicion of thedisease, thus for early diagnosis and treatment.

MeSH Terms

Biopsy
Bone Marrow
Early Diagnosis
Humans
Humerus
Immunoglobulins
Multiple Myeloma*
Osteoporosis
Pectinidae
Pelvis
Radiography
Recognition (Psychology)
Retrospective Studies
Ribs
Skull
Spine
X-Ray Film
Immunoglobulins