Background and purpose: Diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal suppression (DWIBS) can be used for MR imaging systemic examination

especially the lymph node and bone diseases can be clear

and the imaging result is similar with PET. The aim of this study was to compare the value of clinical application in the diagnosis of malignant metastatic osteopathic between DWIBS and bone scintigraphy mapping. Methods: Thirty-six specimens confirmed with malignant tumors by the pathology of operation or biopsy underwent both DWIBS imaging and bone scintigraphy mapping

chi-square test was used for comparing the detection results of bone metastasis by this two imaging methods. Results: Thirty (165 positions in all) of 36 malignant tumor patients were confirmed as having bone metastasis

compared that 26 patients (143 positions) with DWIBS method and 23 patients (132 positions) with bone scintigraphy mapping were detected

but there was no statistical significance between this two imaging methods (χ2=1.002

P=0.506). The sensitivity

positive predictive value (PPV) and accuracy of the detection rate of bone metastasis were similar in DWIBS and bone scintigraphy

with 86.7%

96.3%

86.1% and 76.7%

88.5%

72.2%

respectively; but the specificity and negative predictive value (NPV) in DWIBS (83.3% and 55.6%) was higher than that of in bone scintigraphy (50.0% and 30.0%). The detection rates of different bone metastasis with DWIBS and bone scintigraphy were 86.7% (143/165) and 80.0% (132/165)

and it was no significant difference (χ2=2.640

P=0.104); DWIBS method was better than bone scintigraphy in the detection of osseous metastasis on pelvis and limbs long bone

and there was different significant (χ2=6.783 and 7.636

P=0.023 and 0.016). Conclusion: DWIBS could detect bone metastatic lesions effectively

and there is fine consistency with bone scintigraphy. Therefore

DWIBS is to hope to be extended and applicated clinically.