Diffusion Changes in the Vitreous Humor of the Eye during Aging

• Published in: American journal of neuroradiology : AJNR 2011-09, Vol.32 (8), p.1563-1566
• Main Authors: MERAL, I, BILGILI, Y
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Bone marrow, stem cells transplantation. Graft versus host reaction; Child; Child, Preschool; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Female; Head and Neck; Humans; Infant; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nervous system; Prospective Studies; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Reference Values; Transfusions. Complications. Transfusion reactions. Cell and gene therapy; Vitreous Body - anatomy & histology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0195-6108; 1936-959X
• DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.A2543

The inability to image the vitreous humor of the eye adequately hinders a complete understanding of its normal structure and the changes occurring in aging and disease. The purpose of the present study was to reveal normative data and age-related changes of the vitreous humor by using DWI. A total of 160 patients were enrolled in the present study. Patients were divided into 8 groups according to decade of age, and each group was of equal size with 20 patients. The ADCs were determined for each vitreous humor. Each determination was obtained by using average regions of interest of 50 ± 2 mm(2). ADC values were then plotted against age. The ADC values obtained from group 0 (0-10 years of age) were statistically different from those of all other groups (P < .05). Group 1 (11-20 years of age) was statistically different from groups 3, 5, 6, and 7 (P < .05). A trend toward increased ADC values with increasing age was not statistically significant. Besides the statistically significant difference between pediatric and adult patients, a statistically insignificant trend of increased ADC values among aging adults has been demonstrated. These normative data contribute to our understanding of how DWI can aid in the diagnosis of age-related changes in eye health and function.