Influence of traction therapy on MR diffusion characteristics of the intervertebral discs in patients with cervical spondylosis

Objective:To observe the ADC and FA changes in traction treated cervical spondylosis patients and to assess the value of DTI.Methods:Sixty patients(aged 25~55 years) with cervical spondylosis underwent cervical spine MRI and diffusion tensor imaging(DTI).After a course of traction treatment(with 5% to 15% body weight for 20 minutes per day,10 days),a repeat DTI was performed.DTI were obtained by using an echo planar imaging(EPI) sequence(TE 89ms,TR 2500ms,b value of 800s/mm2,11 noncollinear diffusion directions).Scan time was approximately 8min20s.The mean ADC value and FA value prior to and following traction treatment were analyzed with t test and Rank Sum teal.Results:No significant difference was found in mean ADC and FA of the intraclass for Grade 0~6.Significant difference was observed in mean ADC and FA of the intraclass for Grade 7~8.The ADC values of grade prior to and following traction treatment were(8.65±0.46)×10-4mm2/s and(9.32±0.52)×10-4mm2/s,The ADC values of grade 8 prior to and following traction treatment were(7.10±0.51)×10-4mm2/s and(7.25±0.57)×10-4mm2/s.Conclusions:Traction treatment mainly affect the ADC and FA value of normal,slightly and moderately degenerated discs.The ADC value increases and the diffusion ability of the disc increases.No obvious ADC and FA values changes were observed in the severely degenerated discs.