A comparison of radiographic degeneration features of older Chinese women and older Italian Caucasian women with a focus on thoracic spine.

BACKGROUND: Compared with Caucasians, East Asians have a lower incident of back pain, lower prevalence and severity of osteoporotic vertebral fracture and lumbar spine degeneration. AIM: This study compares radiographic spine degeneration features of older Chinese women (as an example of East Asians) and older Italian women (as an example of Caucasians) with a focus on the thoracic spine. METHODS: From two population-based epidemiological studies conducted in Hong Kong, China and Rome, Italy, 297 pairs (mean age: 73.6 years) age-matched older community women's lateral spine radiographs were sampled. Existence (or absence) of seven degeneration features were assessed including: (1) hyper-kyphosis, (2) disc space narrowing (T3/T4 ~ T11/T12), (3) osteoarthritic (OA) wedging (T4 ~ T12), (4) generalised osteophyte formation (T4 ~ T12); (5) acquired short vertebrae (T4 ~ T12), (6) Schmorl node (T4 - L5), (7) disc calcification (T4-L5). RESULTS: Italian women were more likely to have hyper-kyphosis (53.4% vs 25.6%), disc space narrowing (34.4% vs. 17.2%), OA wedging (6.4% vs. 0.67%), Schmorl node (19.5% vs. 4.4%, all P < 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference in osteophyte formation (7.7% vs. 9.4%, P > 0.1) and acquired short vertebrae (8.0% vs. 10.4%, P > 0.1). Disc calcification was uncommon among both Chinese and Italians. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: For the first time, this study documented a lower prevalence of a number of thoracic spine degeneration features among Chinese. This study further affirms the concept of a generally healthier spine in older Chinese relative to older Caucasians. The observed differences may reflect a foundational background influence of genetic predisposition that represents an important line of future research.

Increased vertebral body area, disc and facet joint degeneration throughout the lumbar spine in patients with lumbosacral transitional vertebrae.

OBJECTIVES: Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), developmental spinal canal stenosis, lumbar disc and facet joint degeneration are all common lumbar spine conditions. This study explores the relationship between these entities. METHODS: Five hundred and five patients (254 females, 251 males), mean age 57 ± 13 years, who underwent abdominopelvic CT examinations were studied. Vertebral body cross-sectional area (CSA), spinal canal CSA, width and depth were measured from L1 to L5. The presence of LSTV was documented and the severity of disc/facet joint degeneration graded. RESULTS: LSTV was present in 155 (31%) of 505 patients, being twice as common in males than in females. After controlling for age, height and weight, vertebral body CSAs from L1 to L5 in male LSTV patients were, on average, 9.8% larger than those in male non-LSTV patients (p < 0.0001 for all) while vertebral body areas at L3 and L4 were 4.5% larger in female LSTV patients than in non-LSTV female patients. Disc degeneration from L2/3 to L5/S1 and facet joint degeneration from L2/3 to L4/5 were more severe in LSTV patients. LSTV Castellvi Type II patients appear to be most prone to disc and facet degeneration. CONCLUSIONS: LSTV patients, and particularly male patients, have an increased vertebral body CSA compared to non-LSTV patients throughout the lumbar spine. LSTV patients also have more severe disc and facet joint degeneration. The increase in vertebral body area may be contributing to the increased lumbar and facet joint degeneration seen in LSTV patients. KEY POINTS: • LSTV patients have increased vertebral body cross-sectional area throughout their lumbar spine compared to non-LSTV patients. This vertebral body area increase was more pronounced in male patients and also apparent in younger patients with LSTV. • LSTV patients have increased disc and facet joint degeneration affecting most of the lumbar spine than non-LSTV patients. • Increased vertebral body area may contribute to the increased lumbar disc and facet joint degeneration seen in LSTV patients.

Dependence of intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion MR threshold b-value selection for separating perfusion and diffusion compartments and liver fibrosis diagnostic performance.

BACKGROUND: Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) tissue parameters depend on the threshold b-value. PURPOSE: To explore how threshold b-value impacts PF ( f), Dslow ( D), and Dfast ( D*) values and their performance for liver fibrosis detection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifteen healthy volunteers and 33 hepatitis B patients were included. With a 1.5-T magnetic resonance (MR) scanner and respiration gating, IVIM data were acquired with ten b-values of 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 150, 200, 400, and 800 s/mm2. Signal measurement was performed on the right liver. Segmented-unconstrained analysis was used to compute IVIM parameters and six threshold b-values in the range of 40-200 s/mm2 were compared. PF, Dslow, and Dfast values were placed along the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis, and a plane was defined to separate volunteers from patients. RESULTS: Higher threshold b-values were associated with higher PF measurement; while lower threshold b-values led to higher Dslow and Dfast measurements. The dependence of PF, Dslow, and Dfast on threshold b-value differed between healthy livers and fibrotic livers; with the healthy livers showing a higher dependence. Threshold b-value = 60 s/mm2 showed the largest mean distance between healthy liver datapoints vs. fibrotic liver datapoints, and a classification and regression tree showed that a combination of PF (PF < 9.5%), Dslow (Dslow < 1.239 × 10-3 mm2/s), and Dfast (Dfast < 20.85 × 10-3 mm2/s) differentiated healthy individuals and all individual fibrotic livers with an area under the curve of logistic regression (AUC) of 1. CONCLUSION: For segmented-unconstrained analysis, the selection of threshold b-value = 60 s/mm2 improves IVIM differentiation between healthy livers and fibrotic livers.

Ultrasound of musculoskeletal soft-tissue tumors superficial to the investing fascia.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in assessing musculoskeletal soft-tissue tumors superficial to the investing fascia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven hundred fourteen superficial soft-tissue tumors evaluated with ultrasound by two musculoskeletal radiologists were retrospectively reviewed. In all ultrasound reports, the reporting radiologists provided one, two, or three diagnoses depending on their perceived level of diagnostic certainty. Two hundred forty-seven tumors had subsequent histologic correlation, thus allowing the accuracy of the ultrasound diagnosis to be determined. Images of the lesions with a discordant ultrasound diagnosis and histologic diagnosis were reviewed, and the ultrasound features were further classified as concordant with the known histologic diagnosis, concordant with the known histologic diagnosis with atypical features present, or discordant with the known histologic diagnosis. Four hundred sixty-seven tumors without pathologic confirmation were followed up clinically. RESULTS: Overall the accuracy of ultrasound examination for assessing superficial soft-tissue masses was 79.0% when all differential diagnoses were considered and 77.0% when only the first differential diagnosis was considered. The sensitivity and specificity of the first ultrasound diagnosis were 95.2% and 94.3%, respectively, for lipoma; 73.0% and 97.7% for vascular malformation; 80.0% and 95.4% for epidermoid cyst; and 68.8% and 95.2% for nerve sheath tumor. Reduced observer awareness of specific tumor entities tended to contribute to underdiagnosis more than poor specificity of ultrasound findings. Most tumors (236/247, 96%) were benign. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound for identifying malignant superficial soft-tissue tumors was 94.1% and 99.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in the assessment of superficial musculoskeletal soft-tissue tumors is high and can be improved through increased radiologist awareness of less frequently encountered tumors. Ultrasound is accurate for differentiating benign from malignant superficial soft-tissue tumors.

Bone marrow fat content in the elderly: a reversal of sex difference seen in younger subjects.

PURPOSE: To investigate vertebral bone marrow fat content in elderly subjects related to sex, age, and bone mineral density (BMD) and relate these findings to published data in younger subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 259 healthy subjects (145 females, 114 males; age range, 62-90 years) underwent proton ((1) H) MR spectroscopy of L3 vertebral body and BMD of the lumbar spine with results stratified according to age. Ninety age- and BMD-matched subjects were selected to determine sex differences in marrow fat content and BMD. RESULTS: In females, vertebral marrow fat content rose sharply between 55 and 65 years of age while in males vertebral marrow fat content rose gradually throughout life. Vertebral marrow fat content in females more than 60 years was approximately 10% higher in females than males, i.e., a reversal of sex difference reported in marrow fat content for subjects less than 60 years. CONCLUSION: Marrow fat content increases sharply in female subjects between 55 and 65 years of age while male subjects continue to increase marrow fat at a more gradual steady rate. Females older than 60 years have a higher marrow fat content than males. This increased deposition in marrow fat concurs with recognized changes in extraosseous fat distribution in postmenopausal females.

Prediction of bone loss in elderly female subjects by MR perfusion imaging and spectroscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether MR perfusion indices or marrow fat content at baseline can predict areal bone mineral density (BMDa) loss. METHODS: Repeat dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the hip was performed in female subjects at 2 years (n = 52) and 4 years (n = 45) following baseline MR perfusion imaging and spectroscopy of the hip. RESULTS: Percentage reduction in femoral neck BMDa at 4 years post-baseline was greater in subjects with below median acetabulum enhancement slope (E(slope)) (-5.6 ± 1.2 Vs -1.1 ± 1.2 (mean ± standard error) p = 0.014) or muscle maximum enhancement (E(max)) (-5.7 ± 1.2 Vs -0.23 ± 1.2, p = 0.009) after adjusting for baseline co-variables. Baseline MR parameters correlated with reduction in BMDa at 4 years (acetabulum E(slope) r = 0.517, p = 0.0003; muscle E(max) r = 0.306, p = 0.043) as well as traditionally applied clinical risk factors. Acetabulum E(slope), femoral neck E(max) and marrow fat content at baseline had sensitivities of 89%, 81% and 72% respectively at distinguishing between fast (>1%/annum) (n = 18) and slow (<1%/annum) (n = 27) BMD losers. CONCLUSION: Elderly female subjects with reduced perfusion indices at baseline had increased femoral neck bone loss at 4 years. Selected perfusion indices and marrow fat content have a moderate to high sensitivity in discriminating between fast and slow bone losers.

Sexual activity, erectile dysfunction and their correlates among 1,566 older Chinese men in Southern China.

INTRODUCTION: Few studies on sexuality and its correlates in adults have been conducted in Asia; most studies in Asia have focused instead on erectile dysfunction in men rather than sexuality or sexual activities. AIM: This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with sexual activity and erectile dysfunction in elderly Chinese men aged 65 years and above. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sexual activity and sexual functions were assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function-5. Depressive symptoms were measured by the Chinese version of the Geriatric Depression Scale. Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were measured by the International Prostatic Symptom Score. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from a large prospective cohort study of Chinese elderly men were used in this study. A questionnaire that included demographic, lifestyle, and medical risk factors and physical examination were administered to 1566 Chinese men aged between 65 to 92 years in Hong Kong. RESULTS: Only 30.7% of men were sexually active in the previous 6 months in this sample and among those who were sexually active, 88% had some form of erectile dysfunction. Being sexually inactive in the previous 6 months was associated with being older (odds ratio [OR] = 1.80; confidence interval [CI]: 1.56-2.09), single (OR = 1.87; CI = 1.19-2.94) and the presence of peripheral arterial disease (OR = 2.43; CI: 1.25-4.71). In multiple multinomial logistic regression, having clinically relevant depressive symptoms (OR = 3.37; CI: 1.31-8.70) and having moderate to severe LUTS (OR = 1.63; CI: 1.01-2.64) were independently associated with increased risk of having erectile dysfunction. CONCLUSION: We showed that a large proportion of elderly men were not sexually active in Hong Kong. For those who were sexually active, most suffered from some degree of erectile dysfunction. Having clinically relevant depressive symptoms and LUTS were independently associated with increased risk of erectile dysfunction.

A Combined Use of Intravoxel Incoherent Motion MRI Parameters Can Differentiate Early-Stage Hepatitis-b Fibrotic Livers from Healthy Livers.

This study investigated a combined use of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters, Dslow ( D), PF ( f), and Dfast ( D*), for liver fibrosis evaluation. Sixteen healthy volunteers (F0) and 33 hepatitis-b patients (stage F1 = 15, stage F2-4 = 18) were included. With a 1.5 T MR scanner and respiration gating, IVIM diffusion-weighted imaging was acquired using a single-shot echo-planar imaging sequence with 10 b values of 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 150, 200, 400, and 800 s/mm2. Signal measurement was performed on right liver parenchyma. With a three-dimensional tool, Dslow, PF, and Dfast values were placed along the x axis, y axis, and z axis, and a plane was defined to separate healthy volunteers from patients. The three-dimensional tool demonstrated that healthy volunteers and all patients with liver fibrosis could be separated. Classification and regression tree showed that a combination of PF (PF < 12.55%), Dslow (Dslow < 1.152 × 10-3 mm2/s), and Dfast (Dfast < 13.36 × 10-3 mm2/s) could differentiate healthy subjects and all fibrotic livers (F1-4) with an area under the curve of logistic regression (AUC) of 0.986. The AUC for differentiation of healthy livers versus F2-4 livers was 1. PF offered the best diagnostic value, followed by Dslow; however, all three parameters of PF, Dslow, and Dfast contributed to liver fibrosis detection.

Population reference range for developmental lumbar spinal canal size.

BACKGROUND: Considerable variability exists in normal developmental lumbar spinal canal size. This impacts the likelihood of neural compromise. Spinal canal development is complete by 17 years. As diseases incurred thereafter do not knowingly affect the developmental size of the spinal canal, it is reasonable to use a selected population undergoing abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) examination to determine developmental lumbar spinal canal size. METHODS: Study approval was granted by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee. Between Feb 2014 and Jan 2015, mid-vertebral spinal canal cross-sectional area (CSA), depth, width, and vertebral body CSA at each level from L1-L5 was measured, using a semi-automated computerized method in 1,080 ambulatory patients (540 males, 540 females, mean age, 50.5±17 years). Patient height and weight was measured. RESULTS: A reference range for developmental lumbar spinal canal dimensions was developed at each lumbar level for each sex. There was a 34% variation in spinal canal CSA between smallest and largest quartiles. Developmental spinal canal CSA and depth were consistently smallest at L3, enlarging cranially and caudally. Taller people had slightly larger lumbar spinal canals (P<0.0001). Males had larger spinal canal CSAs than females though relative to vertebral body CSA, spinal canal CSA was larger in females. There was no change in spinal canal CSA with age, weight or BMI (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A population reference range for developmental lumbar spinal canal size was developed. This allows one to objectively determine the degree of developmental spinal canal stenosis present on an individual patient basis.

Reproducibility of MR perfusion and (1)H spectroscopy of bone marrow.

PURPOSE: To determine the reproducibility of proton ((1)H) magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy and dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging in a clinical setting for the assessment of marrow fat fraction and marrow perfusion in longitudinal studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In all, 36 subjects (17 females, 19 males, mean age 72.9 +/- 2.9 years) who underwent MR spectroscopy and/or dynamic contrast-enhanced perfusion imaging of the proximal femur were asked to return after 1 week for a repeat MR examination. RESULTS: Reproducibility of (1)H MR spectroscopy in all bone areas tested was high, ranging from 0.78-0.85, with the highest reproducibility being in the femoral head and lowest in the femoral neck. Reproducibility of paired perfusion measurements ranged from 0.59 (enhancement slope femoral head) to 0.98 (enhancement maximum acetabulum). Overall reproducibility of (1)H MR spectroscopy and dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging tended to be best in areas with the highest inherent fat fraction or perfusion. CONCLUSION: Reproducibility of (1)H MR spectroscopy or perfusion imaging is sufficiently high to warrant these techniques being applied to the longitudinal study of bone diseases.