[Age-related changes in the intervertebral disks based on magnetic resonance tomographic data]

Lumber region of vertebral column was studied in different age people using magnetic resonance tomography (MRF). Intensity of vertebral discs signals and those from adjacent vertebral bodies was evaluated both visually and quantitatively by graphic registration of magnetic resonance signals. Processes of disk dehydration, characteristic for age changes were detected spontaneously as the signal intensity grows smaller. It was established that magnetic resonance signals of maximal intensity come from pulposus nucleus in juvenile age. This intensity significantly exceeds that from the adjacent disks. On the initial stage of dehydration "doubling" of the MR signal may be observed so as decrease of the intensity up to the level of signals from the adjacent disks. This method suggested allows to assess early stages of the disk dehydration and to determine age norms.