Normal quantitative values of diffusion tensor imaging of the cervical spinal cord with 3.0T MRI in the Mexican population

Abstract

Introduction: Diffusion tensor imaging measurements have not been standardized nor normal values defined at different cervical spinal cord levels. This study determined the normal quantitative values of diffusion tensor imaging with 3.0T MRI in the cervical spinal cord and their relationship with sex and age in a Mexican population. Material and Methods: Patients of both sexes over 18 years of age without cervical spinal cord symptoms and normal findings on conventional 3.0T MRI were included. Quantitative fractional anisotropy (FA), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and mean diffusivity (MD) values in the 4-mm region of interest (ROI) of the complete cervical spinal cord were determined. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA. A p-value < 0.05 was significant. Results: Seventy-three participants with a mean age of women of 53 ± 17 years and men of 48.9 ± 16.4 years (p: not significant) were included. The number of participants per age group was comparable for both sexes. The mean FA was 0.679 ± 0.120, ADC was 0.879 ± 0.157, and MD was 0.123 ± 0.038 of the whole cervical spinal cord. FA and MD values decreased at lower cervical spine levels (p < 0.001). In contrast, ADC increased in the lower cervical segment due to a higher diffusion capacity of water molecules (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were found for the mean values FA and ADC with respect to sex and age in the whole cervical spinal cord. Conclusion: This study is the first to determine normal quantitative FA, ADC, and MD values using diffusion tensor imaging with 3.0T MRI of the complete cervical spinal cord in an adult Mexican population. Diffusion tensor imaging measurements were not affected by sex or age.

Keywords

• Diffusion tensor imaging. Anisotropy factor. Apparent diffusion coefficient. Cervical spinal cord.