title: Does normalized signal intensity of cervical discs on T2 weighted MRI images change in whiplash patients?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We tested the hypothesis that whiplash trauma leads to changes of the signal intensity of cervical discs in T2-weighted images.
  
  
  METHODS
  50 whiplash patients (18-65 years) were examined within 48h after motor vehicle accident, and again after 3 and 6 months and compared to 50 age- and sex-matched controls. Signal intensity in ROI's of the discs at the levels C2/3 to C7/T1 and the adjacent vertebral bodies were measured on sagittal T2 weighted MR images and normalized using the average of ROI's in fat tissue. The contrast between discs and both adjacent vertebrae was calculated and disc degeneration was graded by the Pfirrmann-grading system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Whiplash trauma did not have a significant effect on the normalized signals from discs and vertebrae, on the contrast between discs and adjacent vertebrae, or on the Pfirrmann grading. However, the contrast between discs and adjacent vertebrae and the Pfirrmann grading showed a strong correlation. In healthy volunteers, the contrast between discs and adjacent vertebrae and Pfirrmann grading increased with age and was dependent on the disc level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We could not find any trauma related changes of cervical disc signal intensities. Normalized signals of discs and Pfirrmann grading changed with age and varied between disc levels with the used MR sequence.
authors: Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital, Rämistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland; University Institute of Diagnostic, Interventional and Pediatric Radiology, University Hospital, and University of Bern, Inselspital, Freiburgstrasse, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland. Electronic address: erikajulbrich@googlemail.com.
authors: Erika J
authors: EJ
authors: Ulbrich
authors: University Institute of Diagnostic, Interventional and Pediatric Radiology, University Hospital, and University of Bern, Inselspital, Freiburgstrasse, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland.
authors: Javier
authors: J
authors: Añon
authors: Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital, Rämistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors: Juerg
authors: J
authors: Hodler
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospital and University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland.
authors: Heinz
authors: H
authors: Zimmermann
authors: Department of Neurology, University Hospital and University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland.
authors: Matthias
authors: M
authors: Sturzenegger
authors: University Institute of Diagnostic, Interventional and Pediatric Radiology, University Hospital, and University of Bern, Inselspital, Freiburgstrasse, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland; School of Medicine, Department of Medical Imaging, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Clinical School Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia.
authors: Suzanne E
authors: SE
authors: Anderson
authors: Department of Clinical Research, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Methodology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors: Chris
authors: C
authors: Boesch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000473:pathology*; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: Cervical spine; Disc degeneration; Disc signal; MRI; Trauma; Whiplash patients