Objective: To determine the efficacy of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values obtained by using non-Carr-Purcell-Meibom-Gill (Non-CPMG) single-shot fast-spin-echo (SS-FSE) diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) technique in the differential diagnosis of spondylodiscitis, type 1 spinal degenerative changes, and spinal metastases.

Material and Method: Fifty-seven patients with 24 spinal metastases, 18 spondylodiscitis, and 15 type 1 spinal degenerative changes were examined by using non-CPMG SS-FSE DWI technique. The ADC values of affected vertebrae were calculated. In addition to the ADC values of the affected and normal vertebrae were rationed. The calculated ADC values and ratios were compared between spondylodiscitis, degeneration, and spinal metastasis. The patients were also grouped as benign and malignant processes. These groups were also compared with each other.

Results: ADC maps of all three groups showed hyper signal intensity. The average ADC values for normal and pathological groups were 0.25 ± 0.05 mm2/sn and 1.07 ± 022 mm²/sn respectively. There was significantly difference between normal and pathological groups. The values and ratios of ADC in both spondylodiscitis and type 1 degeneration groups were significantly higher than metastatic group. There was statistically significant difference in the ADC values and ratios between benign and malignant groups.

Conclusion: Non–CPMG SS-FSE DWI is less prone to the magnetic suseptibility artefacts because it bases on FSE. Although there is some overlaping between groups the ADC values and ratios with sufficient image quality obtained by using Non-CPMG SS-FSE DWI may contributed to the evaluation of vertebra bone marrow disorders.