Published online before print March 29, 2005, 10.1148/radiol.2352040437
Assessment of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient in Normal and Degenerated Intervertebral Lumbar Disks: Initial Experience1
Susan M. Kealey, FFR, RCSI,
Todd Aho, MD,
David Delong, PhD,
Daniel P. Barboriak, MD,
James M. Provenzale, MD and
James D. Eastwood, MD
1 From the Department of Radiology (S.M.K., D.P.B., J.M.P., J.D.E.) and Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics (D.D.), Duke University Medical Center, Box 3808, Durham, NC 27710; Department of Veterans Affairs, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC (S.M.K., D.P.B., J.M.P., J.D.E.); and Department of Radiology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Mich (T.A.). Received March 5, 2004; revision requested May 11; revision received June 8; accepted July 20. Address correspondence to S.M.K. (e-mail keale001@mc.duke.edu).
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Figure 1a. MR images of lumbar spine in 57-year-old man. (a) Sagittal T2-weighted MR image with ROI placed over water tube on participant’s back. Intervertebral disk at L4-5 was designated as showing reduction in T2 signal intensity and loss of intervertebral cleft with preservation of disk height. ROI has been placed centrally on intervertebral disk at L4-5. Sagittal plane of acquisition permits optimum placement of ROI, avoiding inclusion of portions of anulus fibrosis and vertebral end plates. (b) Corresponding diffusion-weighted image (b value, 400 sec/mm2; 1215/80; section thickness, 6 mm; section gap, 1 mm; and six signals acquired) and (c) ADC map derived from b, with ROI placed over L4-5 intervertebral disk.
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Figure 1b. MR images of lumbar spine in 57-year-old man. (a) Sagittal T2-weighted MR image with ROI placed over water tube on participant’s back. Intervertebral disk at L4-5 was designated as showing reduction in T2 signal intensity and loss of intervertebral cleft with preservation of disk height. ROI has been placed centrally on intervertebral disk at L4-5. Sagittal plane of acquisition permits optimum placement of ROI, avoiding inclusion of portions of anulus fibrosis and vertebral end plates. (b) Corresponding diffusion-weighted image (b value, 400 sec/mm2; 1215/80; section thickness, 6 mm; section gap, 1 mm; and six signals acquired) and (c) ADC map derived from b, with ROI placed over L4-5 intervertebral disk.
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Figure 1c. MR images of lumbar spine in 57-year-old man. (a) Sagittal T2-weighted MR image with ROI placed over water tube on participant’s back. Intervertebral disk at L4-5 was designated as showing reduction in T2 signal intensity and loss of intervertebral cleft with preservation of disk height. ROI has been placed centrally on intervertebral disk at L4-5. Sagittal plane of acquisition permits optimum placement of ROI, avoiding inclusion of portions of anulus fibrosis and vertebral end plates. (b) Corresponding diffusion-weighted image (b value, 400 sec/mm2; 1215/80; section thickness, 6 mm; section gap, 1 mm; and six signals acquired) and (c) ADC map derived from b, with ROI placed over L4-5 intervertebral disk.
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Figure 2. Graph of mean ADC values in normal-appearing disks. ADC values are indicated in units of x10–6 mm2/sec. Disk levels 1-5 refer to L1-2 through L5-S1. ADC values of normal disks decrease as one proceeds in caudal direction, a pattern that parallels prevalence of degenerative disk disease in our study population. There was a statistically significant difference in ADC values between L1-2 and L5-S1 disks and between L2-3 and L5-S1 disks, with a trend toward significance between L1-2 and L4-5 disks.
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Copyright © 2005 by the Radiological Society of North America.
