Chinese Journal of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2019, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (5): 512-516.doi: 10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2019.05.007

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Diffusion tensor imaging observation and clinical application of the lumbar intervertebral disc

LI Pei1, HOU Xin-xin1, XU Xin-chao2, FU Sheng-qi2   

  1. 1. Department of Radiology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan Province, China; 2. Department of Anatomy, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan Province, China
  • Received:2018-08-16 Online:2019-09-25 Published:2019-09-25

Abstract: Objective  To provide imaging basis for clinical diagnosis of the waist and leg pain caused by the lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration. Methods There were 200 persons with normal lumbar spine and 100 cases with lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration selected and scanned by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The region of interest of the lumbar intervertebral disc and the lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration was selected at workstation, and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value and the fractional anisotropy (FA) value of the region of interest were measured. The FA value and ADC value of lumbar intervertebral disc in different anatomic sites, age groups and different Pfirrmann grades of the lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration were compared. Results The FA value and ADC value of lumbar intervertebral discs in different anatomic sites had significant difference (P<0.05). The FA values of L1~2, L2~3 and L3~4 intervertebral discs were gradually decreased, and the FA values of L4~5 and L5~S1 intervertebral discs were gradually increased. The ADC values of L1~2, L2~3 and L3~4 intervertebral discs were gradually increased, and the ADC values of L3~4、L4~5、L5~S1  intervertebral discs were not changed significantly. There was no statistical difference in FA values among different age groups (P>0.05). There was statistical differences in ADC values (P<0.05), and the ADC values were gradually decreased with the ages. There were statistical differences in FA values and ADC values in the different Pfirrmann grades of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration, and with the Pfirrmann gradation increasing, the FA values were gradually increased, and the ADC values were gradually decreased.    Conclusions    The ADC value of the lumbar intervertebral disc can be influenced by the different anatomic sites and age. The FA value and ADC value of DTI can quantitatively evaluate the degree of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration, and provide imaging basis for clinical diagnosis of early lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration.

Key words: Lumbar intervertebral disc,  Diffusion tensor imaging,  Lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration,  ,  ,  , MRI

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