Feasibility study for evaluating cervical intervertebral disc degeneration using axial diffusion tensor imaging.

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Orthopedics
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a primary cause of neck pain.
• Conventional MRI detects morphological changes but lacks objective evaluation.
• Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) assesses tissue microstructure via water molecule diffusion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate DTI's efficacy in quantifying cervical disc degeneration.
• To correlate axial DTI parameters (FA, MD) with Pfirrmann grades.
• To establish DTI as a tool for objective cervical disc assessment.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 30 symptomatic and 20 asymptomatic volunteers.
• Assessed cervical discs (C3/4-C6/7) using 3.0 T MRI.
• Evaluated Pfirrmann grades, FA, and MD values; statistical analysis performed.

Main Results:

• FA values were significantly higher, and MD values significantly lower in symptomatic patients.
• Increasing Pfirrmann grades correlated with rising FA and decreasing MD values.
• Axial FA values effectively indicated early cervical disc pathological changes.

Conclusions:

• Cervical IVD FA and MD values quantitatively assess degeneration.
• Axial DTI provides a basis for imaging diagnosis of cervical disc degeneration.
• DTI holds significant clinical value for diagnosing cervical disc degeneration.