Age and gender peculiarities in the intervertebral discs diagnostics of medic changes by laser excited fluorescence spectra

Abstract

Fast direct diagnostics of changes in intervertebral disc (IVD), adjacent vertebral subchondral bones and endplates is needful at the surgery clinics before or during treatments. In this study a detailed investigation of relationship between native fluorescence spectra of the IVD hernia slices and changes in vertebral subchondral bone and endplate (Modic changes), paying attention on the age and gender, was performed. The aim of analysis was a test, if a simple fluorescence registration procedure performed on IVD hernia could be essential for classification and medical decisions made before, during or after treatment. The fluorescence spectra (excitation with 355 nm laser pulses registered in microtome cut of IVD samples. The analysis of fluorescence spectrum peculiarities’ dependence on Modic change type (established by the MRI) performed in patients’ age and gender subgroups. The results of correlation and classification analyses showed the association between spectra and Modic changes if gender and age (below and above 45 years old) groups are considered. The data confirmed the metabolic changes in women in fertile age by extracellular matrix remodelling in IVD hernia. Sexual dimorphism observed, and it presented at fluorescence bands ratio at wavelengths 378-390-400 nm. The results demonstrated a simple procedure of native fluorescence registration performed on an IVD hernia provide with information for medical decision making due to the possibilities to identify Modic pathology, and it could be distinguished in a certain gender and age groups.