The application of diffusion weighted imaging in the cervical spondylotic myelopathy with 3.0T MRI / 实用放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the value of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI)as a quantitative analysis tool for chronic cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM)with 3.0T MRI.Methods Cervical routine MR T2-weighted imaging(T2 WI)and diffusion weighted imaging were performed in 38 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM group)and 20 healthy volunteers (control group),and sagittal image of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)was reconstructed.The number of high T2 signal of the spinal cord were calculated in both healthy volunteers and CSM patients.The ADC values of CSM groups were measured in C3,T1 -C2 level and the compression or abnormal signal parts of the spinal cord;the control group measured C3、C4-C6 and T1 -T2 level in the spinal cord.Results There were 3 cases,1 case,6 cases and 8 cases high T2 signals in CSM patients from Ⅰ to Ⅳ levels,while there were 2 cases show high T2 signals in control group,respectively.The mean ADC values of the compression part were gradual-ly increased in CSM group from Ⅰ to Ⅳ level.There were significant differences of the mean ADC values of compression part be-tween the control group,CSMⅠ-Ⅱ level and the CSM Ⅳ level.Conclusion From our study,the change of ADC value of spine cord occured earlier than the change of signal in CSM patients.Therefore,the ADC value of spine cord might reflect the degree of spinal cord compression from CSM patients.