Apparent Diffusion Coefficient of the Intervertebral Disc in Children: Pilot Study

Apparent Diffusion Coefficient of the Intervertebral Disc in Children: Pilot Study

The pathophysiology of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is unknown. This pathology develops from 10-11 years of age and progresses until skeletal maturity, or even adulthood for the most severe forms.

Current knowledge is limited as to its origin on the one hand and the evolutionary nature of scoliosis on the other.

The mechanical parameters of the intervertebral disc are incompletely known from the deep location of this organ, its fragile nature in vivo and its susceptibility to desiccation during ex-vivo analysis.

To complete our knowledge of the mechanical parameters of the intervertebral disc of scoliotic and non-scoliotic children, we are proposing an in vivo, non-invasive and non-irradiating study carried out in children who are the main target of this pathology.

The objective of this work is to characterize the diffusion parameters (apparent diffusion coefficient ADC) of the intervertebral disc in vivo, in a non-invasive and non-irradiating manner by magnetic resonance imaging in children and adolescents. As this measurement has not been carried out in children and adolescents, we want to perform these MRI scans in children free from scoliosis and carriers of scoliosis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age: patients between 8 and 16 years old
• Children undergoing magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar or spinal region as part of their routine care
• Scoliotic: spinal deformity characterized by a hump on clinical examination and a radiological deformation in the coronal plane greater than 10 ° with no etiology found (idiopathic)
• Healthy: no hump on clinical examination, walking patients (level 1 and 2 of the global motor function classification system)

Exclusion Criteria:

• existence of medullary and vertebral pathology other than scoliosis, history of disc or vertebral infection (spondylo-discitis) on examination, neuro-ectodermal pathology
• behavioral disturbances incompatible with the performance of the magnetic resonance imaging examination.
• Refusal of participation.
• Thoracic scoliosis