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Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Chronic Spinal Cord Compression
Published on: May 7, 2019
Assessment of the Correlation between Apparent Diffusion Coefficient and Intervertebral Disk Degeneration Using 3
K Maasumi1, J Tehranzadeh, L T Muftuler
1Department of Neurology, University of California; Irvine, CA, USA - kmaasumi@uci.edu.
The Neuroradiology Journal
|September 25, 2013
Summary
Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (DW-MR) imaging shows a moderate correlation between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and degenerative disc disease (DDD). However, this correlation is insufficient for clinical diagnosis of DDD.
Area of Science:
- Radiology and Imaging Science
- Orthopedics and Musculoskeletal Research
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a common cause of low back pain.
- Accurate assessment of DDD is crucial for effective treatment.
- Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (DW-MR) imaging offers potential for non-invasive tissue characterization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the correlation between mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and the severity of degenerative disc disease (DDD).
- To assess the utility of DW-MR imaging in quantifying lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 34 subjects for lumbar spine imaging.
- Utilized 3 Tesla MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequences.
- Acquired T2-weighted (T2W) scans and DWIs for 170 intervertebral discs.
- Graded discs for DDD and calculated mean ADC values.
Main Results:
- A moderate positive correlation (r = 0.65) was observed between mean ADC and disc degeneration.
- Mid-sagittal ADC also showed a significant correlation (r = 0.61) with DDD.
- Mean ADC values differed significantly across degeneration grades, except between grades 4 and 5.
- No significant difference in ADC was found between different lumbar levels.
Conclusions:
- DW-MR imaging demonstrates a moderate correlation between ADC values and DDD.
- The current correlation is not strong enough for routine clinical determination of DDD.
- Further research may explore advanced DWI techniques for improved diagnostic accuracy.
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