What Does The Heterogeneous Signal Abnormality In The Vertebral Bodies Indicate?

Posted on Fri, 20 Feb 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 21 Feb 2015 Answered on

Tue, 17 Mar 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi,

I am a 56 year old woman weighing 147lbs. who eats a healthy diet and exercises regularly.
I has an MRI 4 days ago which showed a moderate amount of heterogeneous intermediate T1 and T2 signal throughout the thoracolumbar and sacral vertebral bodies. The report reads: The findings may be related to red bone marrow replacement which may be seen in chronic anemic patients or in smokers. I dont fall into either category.

Can you give me some idea what could be causing this abnormality?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Age related degenerative change.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The heterogeneous signal abnormality in the vertebral bodies can be due to anaemia or chronic smokers or due to age related minor degenerative changes in the bones. If you do not fall in either of the categories then there is no need to worry.
Such degenerative changes alone do not suggest of any pathology.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar