Vertebral bone marrow diffusivity in normal adults with varying bone densities at 3T diffusion-weighted imaging

Background There has been controversy surrounding the relationship between diffusivity and bone mineral density (BMD) in vertebral bone marrow. Moreover, sex-related differences of vertebral bone marrow diffusivity in relation to varying bone densities have not yet been evaluated. Purpose To prospectively investigate the role of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in assessing vertebral marrow changes in normal adults with varying bone densities. Material and Methods A total of 124 normal adult volunteers were enrolled in this study. Sagittal magnetic resonance (MR) DWI of the lumbar spine was performed. The ADC values of vertebral bone marrow were measured. Volumetric BMD measurement was performed by quantitative computed tomography (QCT) using Mindways QCT analysis software. All participants were divided into three groups according to BMD (normal, osteopenia, osteoporosis). The differences of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the three groups was compared, and partial correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between ADC values and BMD. Results ADC values decreased as BMD decreased in female participants. When compared with the normal bone density group, ADC values were significantly decreased in the osteoporotic group and in the osteopenic group of female participants. ADC values of female participants were significantly higher than of male participants in the normal bone density group ( P < 0.001). ADC values correlated positively with BMD values (r = 0.307, P = 0.016) for female participants. Conclusion The diffusivity in vertebral bone marrow with varying bone densities differed by sex. ADC values correlated positively with BMD in women. DWI can quantitively evaluate osteoporosis in women.