Kun Wang1, Qingxin Song2, Fan Zhang2, Zhi Chen2, Canglong Hou2, Yixing Tang2, Shiyue Chen3, Qiang Hao4, Hongxing Shen5. 1. Orthopedics Department, Changhai Hospital Affiliated to Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: medsciwangkun@126.com. 2. Orthopedics Department, Changhai Hospital Affiliated to Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China. 3. Radiology Department, Changhai Hospital Affiliated to Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China. 4. Radiology Department, Changhai Hospital Affiliated to Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: haoqiang@189.cn. 5. Orthopedics Department, Changhai Hospital Affiliated to Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: shenhxgk@126.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters of the cervical spinal cord (CSC) changes with age. However, previous studies only examined specific CSC areas. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the DTI parameters in all intervertebral space levels of the whole normal CSC and to study the impact of age on these parameters in a Chinese population. METHODS: Thirty-six healthy subjects aged 20-77 years were recruited. DTI parameters were calculated for gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) funiculi in all the CSC intervertebral spaces (C1/2-C6/7). Age-related changes of DTI parameters were analyzed for the GM and WM funiculi. RESULTS: Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were lower in GM than in WM. MD and FA values were lower in the WM in the lower CSC compared with the upper CSC (all P<0.05), but no difference was observed in GM. In ventral funiculi, MD increased with age, while FA decreased (all P<0.001). In lateral and dorsal funiculi, MD and FA decreased with age (all P<0.001). In GM, MD and FA decreased with age (all P<0.001). Significant age-related changes were observed in FA and MD from GM and WM funiculi. FA was correlated with age in all funiculi (ventral: r=-0.733; lateral: r=-0.468; dorsal: r=-0.607; GM: r=-0.724; all P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Important changes in MD and FA were observed with advancing age at all levels of CSC in Chinese patients. DTI parameters may be useful to assess CSC pathology, but the influence of age and segments need to be taken into account in diagnosis.
BACKGROUND: The diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters of the cervical spinal cord (CSC) changes with age. However, previous studies only examined specific CSC areas. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the DTI parameters in all intervertebral space levels of the whole normal CSC and to study the impact of age on these parameters in a Chinese population. METHODS: Thirty-six healthy subjects aged 20-77 years were recruited. DTI parameters were calculated for gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) funiculi in all the CSC intervertebral spaces (C1/2-C6/7). Age-related changes of DTI parameters were analyzed for the GM and WM funiculi. RESULTS: Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were lower in GM than in WM. MD and FA values were lower in the WM in the lower CSC compared with the upper CSC (all P<0.05), but no difference was observed in GM. In ventral funiculi, MD increased with age, while FA decreased (all P<0.001). In lateral and dorsal funiculi, MD and FA decreased with age (all P<0.001). In GM, MD and FA decreased with age (all P<0.001). Significant age-related changes were observed in FA and MD from GM and WM funiculi. FA was correlated with age in all funiculi (ventral: r=-0.733; lateral: r=-0.468; dorsal: r=-0.607; GM: r=-0.724; all P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Important changes in MD and FA were observed with advancing age at all levels of CSC in Chinese patients. DTI parameters may be useful to assess CSC pathology, but the influence of age and segments need to be taken into account in diagnosis.
Authors: S Saksena; D M Middleton; L Krisa; P Shah; S H Faro; R Sinko; J Gaughan; J Finsterbusch; M J Mulcahey; F B Mohamed Journal: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol Date: 2016-07-14 Impact factor: 3.825
Authors: Nico Papinutto; Regina Schlaeger; Valentina Panara; Alyssa H Zhu; Eduardo Caverzasi; William A Stern; Stephen L Hauser; Roland G Henry Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-03-17 Impact factor: 3.240