Bones in Multiple Myeloma: Imaging and Therapy

Bone disease is the most frequent disease-defining clinical feature of multiple myeloma (MM), with 90% of patients developing bone lesions over the course of their disease. For this reason, imaging plays a major role in the management of disease in patients with MM. Although conventional radiography has traditionally been the standard of care, its low sensitivity in detecting osteolytic lesions has called for more advanced imaging modalities. In this review, we discuss the advantages, indications, and applications of whole-body low-dose CT (WBLDCT), 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET/CT, MRI, and other novel imaging modalities in the management of disease in patients with plasma cell dyscrasias. We also review the state of the art in treatment of MM bone disease (MMBD) and the role of bisphosphonates and denosumab, a monoclonal antibody that binds and blocks the activity of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL), which was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for MMBD.