Objective:
The aim of our study is to evaluate the correlation of residual-reconverted red bone marrow areas of distal femoral metaphysis with the age, gender, weight and hemoglobin (hgb) values and smoking.
Material and Methods:
150 non smoking and 62 smoking patients were included in the study. The residual red bone marrow areas in the distal femoral metaphysis in MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) images were examined by two radiologists. The size of the residual red bone marrow area and the age, gender, weight and hemoglobin values of the patients were compared by using the Oneway Anova Test, Tukey HSD Test, Fisher’s Exact Test and Pearson Chi-Square Test.
Results:
In our study, residual red marrow areas were detected higher in smoking male and female patients when compared to non-smoking patients (p=0.004; p<0.01), (p=0.026; p<0.05). Residual red marrow areas were more common in female patients when compared to male patients (p=0.004; p<0.01). We haven’t seen significant effect of weight, hemoglobin values and age on these areas (p>0.05).
Conclusion:
We have determined correlation between reconverted-residual red marrow areas, female sex and smoking behavior. In the correlation existing group; we are not in favor of mentioning these areas on MRI reports of the knee. But they should be phrased in reports considering the probability of malignancy if they are hypointense compared to adjacent muscle groups on T1-weighted sequences; if they are extensive involved in bone tissue; if they show epiphyseal extension or if there is accompanying soft tissue mass.
Keywords: Knee, MRI, red bone marrow, residual, reconverted