Osteoblastoma
When diagnosing osteoblastoma, the preliminary radiologic workup should consist of radiography of the site of the patient's pain. However, computed tomography (CT) is often necessary to support clinical and plain radiographic findings suggestive of osteoblastoma and to better define the margins of the lesion for potential surgery. CT scans are best used for the further characterization of the lesion with regard to the presence of a nidus and matrix mineralization. MRI aids in detection of nonspecific reactive marrow and soft tissue edema, and MRI best defines soft tissue extension, although this finding is not typical of osteoblastoma. Bone scintigraphy (bone scan) demonstrates abnormal radiotracer accumulation at the affected site, substantiating clinical suspicion, but this finding is not specific for osteoblastoma. In many patients, biopsy is necessary for confirmation.
Center for Biomedical Imaging
The Center for Biomedical Imaging houses a 3 tesla Philips MRI scanner for functional, structural, and spectroscopic studies of humans and animals. The Center for Biomedical Imaging provides researchers with access to the MRI as well as expertise in all modalities of MRI, not only for the Boston University Community, but also for researchers at other institutions. Currently, researchers at the Center for Biomedical Imaging are working on projects funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) and Nancy Lurie Marks Family Foundation.