Vertebral Bone Marrow Perfusion Evaluated with Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Mr Imaging : Significance with Aging and Sex

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate blood perfusion of nonfractured, normal-appearing vertebral bodies with regard to age and sex . MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging( 160 images obtained in 80 seconds) was performed from T10 to L5 in 66 patients. Patients were assigned to three groups: group 1, those 50 years or younger without compression fracture; group 2, those older than 50 years without compression fracture; or group 3, those older than 50 years with compression fracture. Peak enhancement percentage and enhancement slope were determined from the time-intensity curve of normal (nonfractured) vertebral body. Comparisons were made between groups, and the effect of age and sex interaction was analyzed. RESULTS: Higher peak enhancement percentage was demonstrated for group 1 compared with group 2 (58.21 ± 44.65 [SD] vs 21.88 ± 14.77, P < .005). Group 1 women revealed a higher enhancement percentage compared with group 1 men (87.17 ± 54.13 vs 38.16 ± 21.69, P < .05) , which significantly decreased in those older than 50 years (from 87.17 ± 54.13 to 17.98 ± 13 .80, P < .005). For men, this decrease in those older than 50 years was not as pronounced (from 38.16 ± 21.69 to 25.38 ± 15.43, P > .05). Presence of compression fracture at other levels of the spine (group 3) was not associated with a different enhancement percentage for normal vertebrae. CONCLUSION: Rate of vertebral bone marrow perfusion revealed a significant decrease in subjects older than 50 years. Women demonstrated a higher marrow perfusion rate than men younger than 50 years and a more marked decrease than men older than 50 years.