The Study Of Schmorl's Nodes On Lumbosacral Vertebrae MR Imaging

Objective To discuss the incidence, the imaging appearance, differential diagnose of Schmorl's nodes happened in lumbosacral vertebrae and to analysis it's formation mechanisms. Materials and methods 785 Schmod's nodes were detected in 396 patients who had undergone MRI examination of lumbosacral vertebrae. The age and sex of the patients were investigated. The size, shape, place occured in different vertebra, MRI signal of the Schmorl's nodes, the signal of the bone marrow surrounding the Schmorl's nodes , the appearance of the vertebral endplate were contrast analyzed. The 785 intervertebral disks adjacent to Schtnorl's nodes were graded based on the Pearce criterion. Results 396 patients include 224 (224/400, 56%) male and 172 (172/400, 43%) female. 123 (123/172, 71.51%) patients are in the age of 51-60. Most Schmorl's nodes locate at the top edge of L₃(122/800, 6.63%)and L₄ (140/800 17.5%). The averaged size of Schmorl's nodes is 8.3mm×10.2mm . 311 (311/785, 39.62%) are in the front one third of lumbosacral vertebrae, 241 (241/785, 30.7%) in the middle, and 233 (233/785, 29.68%) in the behind one third. The shape of Schmorl's nodes include lachrymiform (81/785, 10.36%) , hemispheroid (427/785, 54.39%) , trapezoid (187/785, 23.82%) and anomalism(90/785, 11.46%).506(506/785, 64.46% )Schmorl's nodes are hypointense on T1 and hypointense on T2, 77(77/785, 9.81%)hypointense on T1 and hyperintense on T2, 202 ( 202/785, 25.73%) mixed signal. 628 (628/785, 80%) Schtnorl's nodes have a clear boundary and 157 (157/785, 20%) have a obscure boundary. 506 (506/785, 64.46%) Schmorl's nodes belong to Modicâ… , 77 ( 77/785, 9.81%) belong to Modicâ…¡, 202 ( 202/785, 25.73 %) belong to Modicâ…¢. The type of PearceⅠ～Ⅱis 194 (194/785, 24.71%) Schmorl's nodes, Pearceâ…¢is 428 (428/785, 54.52%), Pearceâ…£is 102 (102/785, 13.03%), Pearceâ…¤is 61 (61/785, 7.71%) .425 (425/785, 54.1%) intervertebral disks had a bulging disc, 64 (64/785, 8.2%) had disc herniation. Conclusion The incidence of male Schmorl's nodes in lumbosacral vertebrae is higher than that of the female. 51～60 is the highest phase of age about the Schmorl's nodes ,the second age phase is 61～70. Most Schmorl's nodes locate at the top edge of the L₃ and L₄ and in the front one third endplate. The average size of Schmorl's nodes is 8.3mm×10.2mm. Hypointense on T1 and hypointense on T2,Modicâ… ,Pearceâ…¢is the most. The adjacent intervertebrales may have bulging disc and disc herniation.