Annual Low-Dose Whole-Body CT Scan Enhances Monitoring of Smoldering Multiple Myeloma

Recent research has demonstrated that conducting yearly low-dose whole-body computed tomography (WBLDCT) scans significantly improves the management of patients with smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM). The study, published online on March 25 in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, highlights the important role of early detection of disease progression in this patient population.

Led by Dr. Ioannis Ntanasis-Stathopoulos from the General Alexandra Hospital and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in Greece, the research involved evaluating 113 patients with SMM who underwent annual WBLDCT assessments. The primary focus was on identifying early signs of bone deterioration and progression to symptomatic multiple myeloma.

The findings revealed that approximately 36.3% of the studied patients progressed to active multiple myeloma over the follow-up period. Notably, nearly 10% of these cases exhibited disease progression solely through the appearance of new bone lesions, emphasizing the crucial role of imaging in early detection.

The authors concluded that incorporating yearly WBLDCT scans into routine care for SMM patients can significantly aid in early detection of disease progression. Due to the strong association between radiologically detected bone lesions and progression risk, these imaging assessments are recommended to refine patient monitoring strategies and optimize management approaches.

This study underscores the importance of regular imaging in the early intervention of smoldering multiple myeloma, potentially leading to improved patient outcomes.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-annual-body-dose-ct-aids.html