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Abstract Diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging provides image contrast that is dependent on the molecular motion of water, which altered by different diseases. Differentiation between malignant and benign vertebral collapse is a common problem in medical practice as benign vertebral lesions may occur in cancer patients. Conventional MR techniques cannot always be used to differentiate benign from malignant lesions because of their similar appearances. For example osteoporotic collapse can be confused with malignant collapse appearing hypointense on T1WI and hyperintense on T2WI. Although, conventional MRI provides morphological features that are suggestive of malignant vertebral collapse as; involvement of posterior neural arch, and also provides features that are suggestive of benign compression fractures as; a focal band-like area of low signal intensity on T1WI of osteoporotic vertebral collapse. Recently, diffusion MRI has been used for this purpose. Different diffusion techniques have been used to increase the accuracy of the results. Diagnosis using DWI based on signal intensity of the lesion. Hypo or isointensity reflects benign collapse, while, hyperintensity is indicative of the tumorous nature of a fracture. Also infectious collapse usually is hyperintense on DWI. |