Abstract：Objective: To evaluate diffusion-weighted MRI in discriminating vertebral benign and malignant compression fracture. Methods: Both conventional MR and diffusion-weighted MRI were performed in 51 patients with vertebral fractures, X-ray examination were performed in 47 cases, CT scanning were performed in 42 cases, of which 24 were benign fractures(11 traumatic and 13 osteoporotic), 27 were malignant compression fractures, including metastases(n=21), myeloma(n=1), non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma(n=1), tuberculosis(n=4), 51 cases were normal vertebral body group(n=51). 300s/mm2 was taken as b value. Signal intensities on DWI were compared and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC) values were calculated. ADC values among the benign and malignant were quantitatively analyzed and compared. Result: The ADC value in benign fracture was (2.14±0.75)×10-3mm2/s, the ADC value in malignant fracture was (1.27±0.42)×10-3mm2/s. The ADC value in normal vertebral body group was (0.68±0.21)×10-3mm2/s. The ADC value of the abnormal groups was higher than that of the normal group(P<0.05), and benign group higher than that of the malignant group(P<0.05). Data analysis revealed that no significant difference existed between benign fracture and malignant fracture(P>0.05). Conclusion: MR quantitative ADC measurement have important discrimination value to differentiating the benign and malignant fractures. Signal intensity of diffusion-weighted MRI can not accurately distinguish benign and malignant fractures.
2008, Vol. 19 
