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Diffusion properties of asymptomatic lumbar intervertebral discs in a pediatric cohort: a preliminary study of apparent diffusion coefficient

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Abstract

Purpose

To explore the apparent diffusion coefficients of intervertebral discs in an asymptomatic pediatric cohort.

Methods

We conducted a prospective MRI study of the lumbar spine from below the thoracolumbar junction to the lumbosacral junction on 12 subjects (mean age 13 y.o.) with no spinal pathology or spinal posture disorder. MRI was carried out using a 1.5 T machine with acquisitions realized both in sagittal and coronal planes. First, disc hydration was determined, and then, diffusion-weighted images were obtained using an SE single-shot echo-planar sequence. Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) of anterior annulus fibrosus (AAF), nucleus pulposus (NP) and posterior annulus fibrosus (PAF) were measured in the sagittal plane.

Results

Averaged hydration of 0.27 SD 0.03 confirmed the asymptomatic nature of discs. Average scaled values of ADC were 0.46 SD 0.01, 0.22 SD 0.09 and 0.18 SD 0.03 for NP, AAF and PAF, respectively. ADC of NP were almost constant along the spine; PAF values show a slight increase in the thorax-sacrum direction, while AAF values showed a pronounced decrease. Locally, ADC of AAF was higher compared to ADC PAF values below the thoracolumbar junction and it reversed for subjacent discs.

Conclusions

In our knowledge, our study provided the first diffusive properties of asymptomatic intervertebral discs in an adolescent cohort. ADC of NP was slightly higher than adults'. ADC evolutions of AAF were correlated with lordosis concavity which pointed out the role of compressive strain on fluid transport properties. This study could furnish information about segment homeostasis for exploration of pediatric spinal pathologies.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the Fondation Cotrel (Institut de France) for its ongoing support of our research on idiopathic scoliosis. We thank SFCR (Société Française de chirurgie Rachidienne) for R. Compagnon’s scholarship (MD). We are grateful to C. Baunin MD who managed MRI data collection. We are grateful to Jérôme Briot PhD who developed the Biomechlab® software.

Funding

Fondation Cotrel (Institut de France).

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Author notes

  1. Roxane Compagnon

    Present address: Clinique Médipôle Garonne, Toulouse, France

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Children Hospital, Toulouse, France

    Roxane Compagnon, Julie Vial & Jérôme Sales de Gauzy

  2. IMFT UMR CNRS 5502, Toulouse University, CHU Purpan, 2 Allées C. Soula, 31400, Toulouse, France

    Roxane Compagnon, Baptiste Brun-Cottan, Pauline Assemat, Jérôme Sales de Gauzy & Pascal Swider

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  1. Roxane Compagnon
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  4. Julie Vial
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  5. Jérôme Sales de Gauzy
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Contributions

RC contributed to study design, data analysis and writing of article and validation of submitted version. BBC performed data analysis and validation of submitted version of article. JV performed data acquisition, and RC contributed to data analysis and interpretation. PA performed data analysis and interpretation and validation of submitted version. JSdG contributed to study design and validation of submitted version. PS contributed to study design, data analysis and interpretation, writing of article and validation of submitted version.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pascal Swider.

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Compagnon, R., Brun-Cottan, B., Assemat, P. et al. Diffusion properties of asymptomatic lumbar intervertebral discs in a pediatric cohort: a preliminary study of apparent diffusion coefficient. Eur Spine J 31, 2943–2949 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-022-07342-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-022-07342-4

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