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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Does this MRI Scan Result Mean?

my son in law had an MRI of his lower back, it states the marrow signal is diffusely hypointense which may reflect hematopoietic red marrow . what does that mean? The Ortho DR didn t seem to be too concerned. He has never smoked but his had dipped tobacco for approx. 10 yrs.
posted on Sat, 8 Aug 2015
Twitter Wed, 26 Aug 2015 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 26 Aug 2015 Last reviewed on
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Radiologist,  's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.

The spinal vertebrae are small bones which make the back bone. These contain bone marrow. In young age the proportion of red marrow is higher and with age it is replaced by yellow marrow. Hematopoietic bone marrow is red marrow which generated red blood cells in the younger age.

If your son in law is in his younger age then it is acceptable for his MRI lower back to show red marrow areas. Many people have this red bone marrow in higher quantity in the younger age.This is not a concern and is acceptable as part of normal. Please do not worry.
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What Does this MRI Scan Result Mean?

Hi, Thanks for writing in. The spinal vertebrae are small bones which make the back bone. These contain bone marrow. In young age the proportion of red marrow is higher and with age it is replaced by yellow marrow. Hematopoietic bone marrow is red marrow which generated red blood cells in the younger age. If your son in law is in his younger age then it is acceptable for his MRI lower back to show red marrow areas. Many people have this red bone marrow in higher quantity in the younger age.This is not a concern and is acceptable as part of normal. Please do not worry.