Vertebral bone marrow perfusion evaluated with dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging: significance of aging and sex

To investigate blood perfusion of nonfractured, normal-appearing vertebral bodies with regard to age and sex.

Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (160 images obtained in 80 seconds) was performed from T10 to L5 in 66 patients. Patients were assigned to three groups: group 1, those 50 years or younger without compression fracture; group 2, those older than 50 years without compression fracture; or group 3, those older than 50 years with compression fracture. Peak enhancement percentage and enhancement slope were determined from the time-intensity curve of normal (nonfractured) vertebral body. Comparisons were made between groups, and the effect of age and sex interaction was analyzed.

Higher peak enhancement percentage was demonstrated for group 1 compared with group 2 (58.21 +/- 44.65 [SD] vs 21.88 +/- 14.77, P <.005). Group 1 women revealed a higher enhancement percentage compared with group 1 men (87.17 +/- 54.13 vs 38.16 +/- 21.69, P <.05), which significantly decreased in those older than 50 years (from 87.17 +/- 54.13 to 17.98 +/- 13.80, P <.005). For men, this decrease in those older than 50 years was not as pronounced (from 38.16 +/- 21.69 to 25.38 +/- 15.43, P >.05). Presence of compression fracture at other levels of the spine (group 3) was not associated with a different enhancement percentage for normal vertebrae.

Rate of vertebral bone marrow perfusion revealed a significant decrease in subjects older than 50 years. Women demonstrated a higher marrow perfusion rate than men younger than 50 years and a more marked decrease than men older than 50 years.