Age-related MRI changes at 0.1 T in cervical discs in asymptomatic subjects

The age-dependent occurrence of cervical degenerative changes was studies using 0.1 T MRI in 89 asymptomatic volunteers aged 9 to 63 years. The degree of DD (disc darkening on T2*-weighted images), disc protrusions and prolapses, narrowing of disc spaces, dorsal osteophytes and spinal canal stenosis were assessed. Abnormalities were commoner in older subjects, 62% of being seen in those over 40 years old. In subjects aged less than 30 years there were virtually no abnormalities. DD was the most common abnormality, seen in 10% of discs; 57% DD was in subjects aged over 40. DD at the C5/6 level was the most common finding. No differences in abnormal findings between males and females was observed, nor any statistically significant association between DD and other abnormalities. Thus, DD begins later age in the cervical spine than in the lumbar region. Asymptomatic degenerative changes are common on MRI in the cervical spine after 30 years of age.

[1]  M. Modic,et al.  Magnetic resonance imaging of intervertebral disk disease. Clinical and pulse sequence considerations. , 1984, Radiology.

[2]  H. Herkowitz,et al.  Surgical management of cervical soft disc herniation. A comparison between the anterior and posterior approach. , 1990 .

[3]  H. Paajanen,et al.  Disc degeneration and lumbar instability. Magnetic resonance examination of 16 patients. , 1989, Acta orthopaedica Scandinavica.

[4]  V. Haughton,et al.  Age changes in the lumbar intervertebral disc studied with magnetic resonance and cryomicrotomy , 1988 .

[5]  V. Haughton,et al.  Intervertebral disk: normal age-related changes in MR signal intensity. , 1990, Radiology.

[6]  Pritzker Kp.  Aging and degeneration in the lumbar intervertebral disc. , 1977 .

[7]  I Isherwood,et al.  MR imaging of the intervertebral disc: a quantitative study. , 1985, The British journal of radiology.

[8]  M Kormano,et al.  Disc degeneration in magnetic resonance imaging. A comparative biochemical, histologic, and radiologic study in cadaver spines. , 1991, Spine.

[9]  Nicholas,et al.  Abnormal magnetic-resonance scans of the lumbar spine in asymptomatic subjects. A prospective investigation. , 1990, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[10]  J. Salminen,et al.  Low-back pain and disk degeneration in children: a case-control MR imaging study. , 1991, Radiology.

[11]  M. Modic,et al.  Imaging of degenerative disk disease. , 1988, Radiology.

[12]  Z. Friedenberg,et al.  DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE OF THE CERVICAL SPINE. , 1963, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[13]  M. C. Powell,et al.  PREVALENCE OF LUMBAR DISC DEGENERATION OBSERVED BY MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN SYMPTOMLESS WOMEN , 1986, The Lancet.

[14]  E. Weis.  Abnormal magnetic-resonance scans of the cervical spine in asymptomatic subjects. , 1991, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[15]  E. Russell.  Cervical disk disease. , 1990, Radiology.

[16]  S. Kvarnström,et al.  Occurrence of musculoskeletal, disorders in a manufacturing industry with special attention to occupational shoulder disorders. , 1983, Scandinavian journal of rehabilitation medicine. Supplement.

[17]  D. Enzmann,et al.  Cervical spine: MR imaging with a partial flip angle, gradient-refocused pulse sequence. Part I. General considerations and disk disease. , 1988, Radiology.

[18]  V M Haughton,et al.  Progressive and regressive changes in the nucleus pulposus. Part I. The neonate. , 1988, Radiology.

[19]  A. Schultz,et al.  Lumbar Disc Degeneration: Correlation with Age, Sex, and Spine Level in 600 Autopsy Specimens , 1988, Spine.

[20]  L. Kaufman,et al.  Characteristics of partial flip angle and gradient reversal MR imaging. , 1988, Radiology.

[21]  J Oda,et al.  Intervertebral disc changes with aging of human cervical vertebra. From the neonate to the eighties. , 1988, Spine.

[22]  T. Foster,et al.  A review of normal tissue hydrogen NMR relaxation times and relaxation mechanisms from 1-100 MHz: dependence on tissue type, NMR frequency, temperature, species, excision, and age. , 1984, Medical physics.

[23]  J. Carlson,et al.  Partial flip angle MR imaging. , 1987, Radiology.

[24]  V. Haughton,et al.  Progressive and regressive changes in the nucleus pulposus. Part II. The adult. , 1988, Radiology.

[25]  S. Sepic,et al.  Neck Pain: A Long-term Follow-up of 205 Patients , 1987, Spine.

[26]  W. Hanafee,et al.  Asymptomatic degenerative disk disease and spondylosis of the cervical spine: MR imaging. , 1987, Radiology.

[27]  W. Dixon,et al.  BMDP statistical software , 1983 .

[28]  S. Sepic,et al.  Roentgenographic Findings of the Cervical Spine in Asymptomatic People , 1986, Spine.