Degenerative endplate changes of the lumbosacral spine: dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI profiles related to age, sex, and spinal level.

Purpose: To investigate differences in perfusion profiles between degenerative endplate marrow changes and normal vertebral marrow in relation to spinal level, age, and sex with dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE MRI).

Materials And Methods: Ninety-two consecutive patients referred for evaluation of low back pain or sciatica, without history of malignant or chronic disease, underwent conventional and DCE MRI of the lumbosacral spine. Fifty-two of them demonstrated degenerative endplate marrow changes. Regions of interest were placed on sites of normal marrow (group A) and degenerative changes (group B) on subtracted images. Fitted time-intensity curves (fTICs) were generated and evaluated for curve pattern. Both groups were stratified into upper (L1-L2) and lower (L3-I1) levels, males and females younger or older than 50 years. Perfusion parameters were calculated and statistically compared for both groups and subgroups. Receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis was also performed.

Results: Two fTIC patterns were identified. Perfusion parameters of degenerative changes and normal marrow differed significantly, even when groups were stratified for spinal level, age, and sex (P < 0.05). A time to peak value >108 seconds was characteristic for degenerative changes with sensitivity 69.5% and specificity 84.6%.

Conclusion: DCE MRI profiles of degenerative endplate marrow changes of the lumbosacral spine differ significantly from normal marrow regardless of spinal level, age, or sex.