The Clinical Preliminary Research On Spinal Cord Injury By MR Diffusion Weighted Imaging

Objective To describe diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map appearance of the normal spinal cord, the spinal cord injury and the spinal cord by cervical disc compression, and to evaluate ADC values in the diagnosis of the spinal cord injury. Methods 15 cases with normal spinal cord,28 cases with spinal cord injury, and 30 cases with spinal cord by cervical disc compression were examined by MRI and DWI, DWI and ADC map findings were reviewed. The ADC values of normal cervical spinal cord, thoracic spinal cord and spinal cone were measured in the different b values (b= 300,500,700,800,1000 s/mm2), and find the optimal b value image; then the spinal cord injury and the spinal cord by cervical disc compression were examined by MRI and DWI in the best b value, to measure the ADC values of the marked spinal cord injury or compression foci of the two sets, while to measure the ADC values in the upper two vertebrae of the spinal cord injury and the ADC values of cerebrospinal fluid in the spinal cord region of cervical disc compression and normal cervical spinal cord region. ADC values of the above were compared by statistical analysis. Results b= 500s/mm2, DWI and ADC can better display the spinal cord and surrounding tissues.①The mean ADC values of the cervical spinal cord, thoracic spinal cord and spinal cone in the normal person, respectively were:(105.08±10.92) X10-3mm2/s, (101.47±9.73) X10-3mm2/s and (85.65±13.31) X10-3mm2/s; ADC values of cervical and thoracic spinal cord, thoracic spinal cord and spinal cone had no statistical difference.②The mean ADC values of the spinal cord injury group and relatively normal spinal cord group, respectively were:(67.11±22.09) X10-3mm2/s and (102.54±18.06) X10-3 mm2/s, during which there was statistical difference; the signal of most spinal cord injury was high singal in the DWI images while low in the ADC images.③The mean ADC values of the spinal cord by cervical disc compression and normal spinal cord, respectively were:(92.93±17.60) X10-3mm2/s and (105.08±10.92) X10-3 mm2/s, during which there was statistical difference; 1 case showed high singal in DWI image,29 cases were no obvious abnormalities, the corresponding ADC values were normal or higher or lower. Conclusion①MR DWI can give some quantitative information for pathological changes in the spinal cord. The image quality in b value= 500 is better.②MR DWI of the spinal cord injury have some important value in its diagnosis. Compared with conventional MRI, DWI combined with ADC values may more accurately show the site of spinal cord injury, the changes of ADC values may reflect the earlier functional spinal cord injury and morphological changes. DWI combined with conventional MRI can improve the diagnostic sensitivity of spinal cord injury.③Spinal cord by cervical disc compression was no obvious abnormality on conventional MRI changes, but the mean ADC values of the corresponding parts have been changed, which prompted that changes in the spinal cord ADC values can reflect the early spinal cord function and morphological changes. MRI combined with DWI, ADC values changes is more sensitive, better early detection of morphological changes in spinal cord function than conventional MRI.