Magnetization transfer ratio mapping of intervertebral disc degeneration.
Publication/Presentation Date
11-1-2010
Abstract
The magnetization transfer ratio of the lumbar discs was spatially quantified from age-matched subjects and the nucleus pulposus magnetization transfer ratio was correlated with T2-weighted Pfirrmann grades. A moderate and significant linear correlation between magnetization transfer ratio and Pfirrmann grades was observed, suggesting that nucleus pulposus collagen relative density increases with degeneration. High-resolution axial magnetization transfer ratio maps revealed elevated magnetization transfer ratio in the nucleus pulposa of injured and heavily degenerated discs. In the injured disc, significant elevation in nucleus pulposa magnetization transfer ratio was not accompanied by significant decrease in disc height. This observation may suggest a possible increase in absolute collagen content, in addition to increased collagen relative density. In summary, magnetization transfer MRI of the disc may serve as a noninvasive diagnostic tool for disc degeneration, in addition to other MRI techniques specific to proteoglycan content.
Volume
64
Issue
5
First Page
1520
Last Page
1528
ISSN
1522-2594
Published In/Presented At
Wang, C., Witschey, W., Goldberg, A., Elliott, M., Borthakur, A., & Reddy, R. (2010). Magnetization transfer ratio mapping of intervertebral disc degeneration. Magnetic resonance in medicine, 64(5), 1520–1528. https://doi.org/10.1002/mrm.22533
Disciplines
Diagnosis | Medicine and Health Sciences | Other Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment | Radiology
PubMedID
20677229
Department(s)
Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Medical Imaging
Document Type
Article