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Updated: May 31, 2026
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Chronic Spinal Cord Compression
Published on: May 7, 2019
Diffusion tensor imaging of the maturing paediatric cervical spinal cord: from the neonate to the young adult
Samata Singhi1, Aylin Tekes, Majda Thurnher
1Division of Pediatric Radiology, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 North Wolfe Street, Nelson Basement, B-173, MD 21287-0842 Baltimore, USA.
Insights
Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) values in the pediatric cervical spinal cord (CSC) change predictably with age. ADC decreases while FA increases, reflecting normal maturation and myelination.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Normative apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) brain metrics are established.
- Limited research exists on the normative evolution of ADC/FA in the pediatric spinal cord.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate age-dependent changes in ADC/FA values of the developing pediatric cervical spinal cord (CSC).
Main Methods:
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed on 41 pediatric subjects (<18 years) with normal spinal MRI.
- DTI metrics (ADC/FA) were measured in the CSC center.
- Regression and ANCOVA analyses assessed age and sex effects on DTI metrics.
Main Results:
- A linear model best described the data.
- ADC values showed a continuous decrease with increasing age.
- FA values demonstrated a continuous increase with increasing age.
Conclusions:
- Age-related ADC decrease and FA increase in the CSC indicate progressive maturation, myelination, and fiber packing.
- Normative DTI metrics aid in early detection and quantification of spinal cord pathologies in children.
Objective:
Normative apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) metrics of the brain have been published previously. However, no larger studies evaluated the normal evolution of ADC/FA metrics of the maturing paediatric spinal cord. Goal of this study is to evaluate the age-dependent evolution of the ADC/FA values of the developing/maturing normal cervical spinal cord (CSC).
Patients And Methods:
Forty-one subjects, aged less than 18 years with a negative spinal MRI study and no systemic central nervous disease, underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of the CSC. DTI metrics were measured in the centre of the CSC. Regression and ANCOVA analyses were performed to evaluate the association between ADC/FA values and age and its potential modification by sex.
Results:
A linear model emerged as the best fit for our data. ADC showed a continuous decrease with age; FA showed a continuous increase with age.
Conclusion:
The simultaneous age-related ADC decrease and FA increase likely reflect progressive maturation, myelination and fibre packing within the CSC similar to that observed in the brain. Collection of age-dependent normative DTI metrics may be helpful in the early identification and quantification of altered water diffusion in a variety of pathologies affecting the developing paediatric spinal cord.
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