DIFFUSION-WEIGHTED MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF INTERVERTEBRAL DISC DEGENERATION IN THE LUMBOSACRAL SPINE

Objective: to quantify the degree of degeneration of intervertebral discs (IVDs), by constructing functional diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) maps, and to determine a correlation between the measured diffusion coefficient (DC) values and IVD changes on T1- and T2-weighted images. Material and methods. 545 IVDs were examined in 109 patients with no history of back pain syndrome and surgical spinal interventions. All the patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine; DWI maps were constructed and DC values estimated. Results. Statistically significant differences in the mean values of DC were determined for each of five IVDs. Multiple regression analysis showed that age and degree of degeneration were the most significant factors. The degree of IVD degeneration was negatively correlated with the values of DC at all levels (p<0.001). Also, there was a negative correlation between age and the value of DC at all levels (p<0.001). However, gender did not affect the value of DC (p>0.05), with the exception of L3-4. Conclusion. Age and the degree of degenerative changes in IVDs affect the value of DC. The value of DC is negatively correlated with the IVD degeneration graded by Pfirrmann and with the age of the examined patients. DW MRI can be used as a promising noninvasive method to diagnose the early stages of IVD degeneration.

diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, intervertebral disc degeneration, diffusion coefficient, diffusionweighted images

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