Vertebral bone marrow diffusivity in healthy adults at 3T diffusion-weighted imaging

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Bone Marrow Imaging
• Biomarkers

Background:

• The relationship between vertebral bone marrow diffusivity and age remains controversial.
• Gender-specific factors influencing bone marrow conditions are not well-defined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate age- and gender-related changes in lumbar bone marrow diffusivity.
• To measure apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in the lumbar spine.

Main Methods:

• 125 healthy adults underwent MR diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of the lumbar spine.
• ADC values of vertebral bone marrow were quantified.
• Statistical analysis compared ADC values across gender and age groups.

Main Results:

• Female participants showed significantly higher ADC values than males (P=0.023).
• This gender difference was pronounced in individuals under 50 (P<0.001).
• ADC values negatively correlated with age, especially in women (r=-0.581, P<0.001).

Conclusions:

• Lumbar bone marrow ADC values exhibit distinct age and gender variations.
• Gender differences in ADC are evident in younger populations (<50 years).
• These findings suggest alterations in the cellular composition of bone marrow.