This article reviews current knowledge on the various lesion patterns that can be observed at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and on computed tomography images in patients with plasma cell neoplasms. It reviews limitations in specificity of imaging features and emphasizes difficulties in the recognition of the benign or malignant origin of vertebral fractures in these patients. The prognostic significance of MR imaging findings with respect to the natural history of the disease or to survival after treatment is discussed.