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BMC Neurology

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01-12-2020 | Cervical Myelopathy | Research article

Evaluation of microstructural changes in spinal cord of patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy by diffusion kurtosis imaging and investigate the correlation with JOA score

Authors: Zhuohang Liu, Bingyang Bian, Gang Wang, Cheukying Tian, Zhenshan Lv, Zhiqing Shao, Dan Li

Published in: BMC Neurology | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

To explore the feasibility of the metrics of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) for investigations of the microstructural changes of spinal cord injury in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) and the correlation between Japan Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores and DKI metrics.

Methods

Fifty-seven patients with DCM and 38 healthy volunteers underwent 3.0 T magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with routine MRI sequences and DKI from echo-planar imaging sequence. Based on the JOA score, DCM patients were divided into four subgroups. DKI metrics of the DCM group and control group were obtained and compared, separately for the white matter (WM) and the gray matter (GM).

Results

The FA values in WM were significantly lower (P = 0.020) in the DCM group than in the control group. The MK values in GM were lower (P = 0.011) in the DCM group than in the control group. The MD values in WM were significantly higher (P = 0.010) in the DCM group than in the control group. In GM, the JOA score was positively correlated with the MK values (r = 0.768, P < 0.05). In the WM, the JOA score was positively correlated with the FA values (r = 0.612, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

DKI provides quantitive evaluation to the characters of microstructure of the spinal cord damage in patients with DCM compared to conventional MR. MK values can reflect microstructural abnormalities of gray matter of the cervical spinal cord and provide more information beyond that obtained with routine diffusion metrics. In addition, MK values of GM and FA values of WM may as a be highly sensitive biomarker for the degree of cervical spinal cord damage.

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Title: Evaluation of microstructural changes in spinal cord of patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy by diffusion kurtosis imaging and investigate the correlation with JOA score
Authors: Zhuohang Liu
Bingyang Bian
Gang Wang
Cheukying Tian
Zhenshan Lv
Zhiqing Shao
Dan Li
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Cervical Myelopathy
Published in: BMC Neurology / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2377
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-020-01752-x

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Evaluation of microstructural changes in spinal cord of patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy by diffusion kurtosis imaging and investigate the correlation with JOA score

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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