FIG 3. Line scan diffusion images of one of the female patients with multiple acute histologically proved benign compression fractures in the thoracic spine (T8 [arrow, mean diffusivity = (1376 ± 264) x 10^-6 mm²/s]; T10 [curved arrow]; and the compression fracture of the end plate of T5 [arrowhead, mean diffusivity = (829 ± 59) x 10^-6 mm²/s]). Two separate imaging sessions were required to cover the entire spine of this patient because of kyphosis. To image the upper part of the spine, the imaging plane had to be rotated around the left-right axis so that the readout dimension of the line scan diffusion image aligns with the spinal column.

A, Isotropic diffusion-weighted image of the upper spine.

B, Unweighted image of the upper spine.

C, Map of the mean diffusion coefficient of the upper spine.

D, Isotropic diffusion-weighted image of the lower spine.

E, Unweighted image of the lower spine.

F, Map of the mean diffusion coefficient of the lower spine.

G, Corresponding conventional sagittal T1-weighted spin-echo image. The extent of pathologic signal alteration is consistent with that seen on the line scan diffusion images. Only faint signal intensity changes are seen in the fractured end plate of T5 (arrowhead), whereas on the map of the mean diffusion coefficient, the abnormalities in this vertebral body can be more clearly delineated. The signal intensity changes of the compression fracture in T8 (arrow) correspond with hyperintensities in the diffusion coefficient maps.

H, Corresponding conventional sagittal T1-weighted spin-echo image with fat suppression. A biopsy specimen was obtained in the center of the lesion in T10 (curved arrow). The mean diffusivity was markedly higher [(1972 ± 145) x 10^-6 mm²/s] than that of the anterior aspect [(1764 287) 10^-6 mm²/s]. The extent of pathologic signal intensity alteration is consistent with that seen on the line scan diffusion images.