MR findings indicative of hemosiderin in giant-cell tumor of bone: frequency, cause, and diagnostic significance.

Imaging appearance of giant cell tumour of the spine above the sacrum

“…10 This phenomenon could support a diagnosis of GCT. 10 Curvilinear low signal areas on both T 1 and T 2 weighted images are a common MRI feature of spine GCT (Figures 2d and 5b). This was observed in nine of the ten GCTs studied by Kwon et al 9 and 69% of the tumours in our series.…”

“…9 Haemosiderin deposition usually shows nodular, zonal, whorled or diffuse low signal intensity on all sequence images (Figure 1d), 10 and the areas of low signal intensity are exaggerated on T 2 weighted images and more on gradient-recalled echo images for their sensitive of haemosiderin. 10 This phenomenon could support a diagnosis of GCT. 10 Curvilinear low signal areas on both T 1 and T 2 weighted images are a common MRI feature of spine GCT (Figures 2d and 5b).…”

MRI Findings of Giant Cell Tumors of the Spine

“…The other features of this lesion include occasional erythrocyte lakes (secondary "aneurysmal bone cystlike" change) and xanthomatous changes within the focal collections of histiocytes. Aneurysmal bone cyst formation may be encountered as a secondary feature in a variety of osseous lesions including giant cell tumor [6]. In addition, prominent areas of fibrous tissue with a high collagen level are a frequent finding, and giant cells are uncommon in these regions.…”

“…Interestingly, giant cell tumors have low to similar signal intensity to the normal spinal cord on the T2-weighted MR images in 63-96% of cases [9]. This appears to be caused by the relative collagen content of fibrous components and hemosiderin within the tumor [6]. When bone tumors do not contain a mineralized matrix, the low signal intensity areas observed on MR images are not always the result of hemosiderin deposition and can be caused by a dense collagen matrix [6].…”

Case report: A typical presentation of giant cell tumour (GCT) of bone in the distal humerus of a child

“…Researchers using MRI have found haemosiderin deposits in up to 60% of cases and although these findings are neither sensitive nor specific, it may be a useful adjunct in determining a diagnosis. 19 Surgical treatment usually consists of extended curettage or en-bloc resection. Current evidence indicates that curettage should be supplemented with a combination of chemical cautery, cryotherapy or electrical cautery followed by methylmethacrylate cement to limit recurrence.…”