Magnetic resonance imaging characteristics in patients with histopathologically proven fibrous dysplasia—a systematic review

Objective To examine the demographics, lesion location, and characteristic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with histopathologically proven fibrous dysplasia (FD). Materials and methods A systematic literature search of the MRI findings in patients with histologically proven FD was performed. Altogether, 76 articles with 136 patients were evaluated. Results The mean age of the patients was 35.0 + − 18.5 years (range 1 month–75 years). Fifty-eight of the cases were females, 51 males, and in 27 gender was not defined. The most common locations were craniofacial ( n = 55 (40%)), long bones ( n = 31 (23%)), and spine ( n = 24 (18%)). The monostotic form of FD was the most common. Signal intensities (SI) on T1-weighted images were predominantly hypointense ( n = 46 (37%)). The SI was highly variable on T2-weighted images with hyperintensity being most common ( n = 22 (18%)). Contrast enhancement was found in 75 (55%) FD patients. Secondary aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) and malignant transformation in patients without prior radiotherapy was found in some patients. Conclusion Current knowledge of the MRI findings in patients with FD is based mainly on case reports. SI in patients with FD is variable and contrast enhancement is common. FD may explain etiology of spinal bone tumor in some patients. FD with malignant transformation should be considered also in patients without prior radiotherapy. Further studies are needed to clarify if FD displays specific characteristics allowing it to be distinguished from other bone tumors.