Vertebral bone marrow perfusion evaluated with dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging: Significance of aging and sex

PURPOSE: To investigate blood perfusion of non-fractured, normal-appearing vertebral bodies with regard to age and sex. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (160 images obtai ned in 80 seconds) was performed from T10 to L5 in 66 patients. Patients we re assigned to three groups: group 1, those 50 years or younger without com pression fracture; group 2, those older than 50 years without compression f racture; or group 3, those older than 50 years with compression fracture. P eak enhancement percentage and enhancement slope were determined from the t ime-intensity curve of normal (nonfractured) vertebral body. Comparisons we re made between groups, and the effect of age and sex interaction was analy zed. RESULTS: Higher peak enhancement percentage was demonstrated for group 1 co mpared with group 2 (58.21 +/- 44.65 [SD] vs 21.88 +/- 14.77, P < .005). Gr oup; 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 dec reased in those older than 50 years (from 87.17 +/- 54.13 to 17.98 +/- 13.8 0, P < .005). For men, this decrease in those older than 50 years was not a s pronounced (from 38.16 +/- 21.69 to 25.38 +/- 15.43, P > .05). Presence o f compression fracture at other levels of the spine (group 3) was not assoc iated 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 marro w perfusion rate than men younger than 50 years and a more marked decrease than men older than 50 years.