Quantitative MRI of Bone Marrow in Patients With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Clinical Pilot Study of Quantitative MRI Assessment of Bone Marrow in Patients With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Patients Without Hematopoietic Disorders, From 6 to 18 Years Old

The study is aimed at assessing changes in the bone marrow of patients from 6 to 18 years old with a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia during chemotherapy. Patients of the same age without hematological diseases will be recruited as a control group.

The ratio of fat to water in the bone marrow depends on the cellularity of the bone marrow. In addition to the water/fat ratio in bone marrow there are also other parameters for quantitative MRI assessment. These include the apparent diffusion coefficient (ACD), the T1 relaxation time, mapping of the macromolecular proton fraction. The undoubted advantage of MRI is its non-invasiveness and the ability to assess any localization of the bone marrow.

MRI may become a new non-invasive method for assessing the ratio of fat to cells in the bone marrow in children with hematological malignancies, which can help in making a diagnosis and monitoring the response to therapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. patients from 6 to 18 years old
2. diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia during chemotherapy
3. patients of the same age without hematological diseases

Exclusion Criteria:

1. patients less then 6, and older then 18 years old
2. patients who cannot perform the study MRI without general anesthesia