Bone marrow reconversion

Last revised by Abdallah Al Khateeb on 15 Jun 2023

Bone marrow reconversion generates a red bone marrow pattern that is in reverse to the normal red-to-yellow distribution. 

Bone marrow reconversion occurs when there is increased hematopoietic demand, which may be 1,2:

Signal intensity will be that of normal red marrow being low T1 signal but still higher than skeletal muscle 1,3. In the appendicular skeleton, it tends to be symmetrical and homogeneous, whereas in the axial skeletal it can be heterogeneous/multifocal 1. Marrow reconversion occurs in the reverse order of normal red to yellow marrow conversion 4.

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Cases and figures

  • Case 1
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  • Case 2: in thalassemia major
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  • Case 3: obesity-related
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