Musculoskeletal CT Appearances
Multiple Myeloma CT Findings
- Osteolytic bone destruction (>5 mm) in one or more locations
- 70-80% of patients have “punched-out” osteolytic lesions (small, low density) with positive HU values
- Soft tissue masses not uncommon
- Can appear anywhere in the skeletal system, most commonly in the vertebrae, ribs, skull and shoulder
Other Information About Multiple Myeloma
Etiology:
- Unknown
Epidemiology:
- More common in males
- Most patients present after age 65
- Twice as common in people of African heritage than European heritage
Presentation:
- Initially asymptomatic
- Bone pain
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Brain fog
- Frequent infections or bruising
- Persistent thirst
Prognosis:
- The relative 5-year survival rate is 57%