Diffuse T1 bone marrow signal loss

Diffuse T1 vertebral bone marrow signal loss has a number of causes. T1-weighted imaging without fat suppression is one of the most important sequences for distinguishing between normal and abnormal bone marrow. Given the homogeneity, this appearance can often be difficult to spot as abnormal. 

Differential diagnosis

• myeloproliferative and lymphoproliferative diseases
• diffuse skeletal metastases
• iron deposition related pathologies, e.g. hemochromatosis