In vivo 3.0-tesla magnetic resonance T1ρ and T2 relaxation mapping in subjects with intervertebral disc degeneration and clinical symptoms
✍ Scribed by Gabrielle Blumenkrantz; Jin Zuo; Xiaojuan Li; John Kornak; Thomas M. Link; Sharmila Majumdar
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 2010
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 278 KB
- Volume
- 63
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0740-3194
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✦ Synopsis
Abstract
The purpose of this study is (1) to determine the correlation between T~1ρ~ and T~2~ and degenerative grade in intervertebral discs using in vivo 3.0‐T MRI, and (2) to determine the association between T~1ρ~ and T~2~ and clinical findings as quantified by the SF‐36 Questionnaire and Oswestry Disability Index. Sixteen subjects participated in this study, and each completed SF‐36 and Oswestry Disability Index questionnaires. MRI T~1ρ~ and T~2~ mapping was performed to determine T~1ρ~ (77 discs) and T~2~ (44 discs) in the nucleus of the intervertebral disc, and T~2~‐weighted images were acquired for Pfirrmann grading of disc degeneration. Pfirrmann grade was correlated with both T~1ρ~ (r = −0.84; P < 0.01) and T~2~ (r = −0.61; P < 0.01). Mixed‐effects models demonstrate that only T~1ρ~ was associated with clinical questionnaires (R^2^~SF‐36~ = 0.55, R^2^~O.D.I.~ = 0.56; P < 0.05). Although the averaged values of T~1ρ~ and T~2~ were significantly correlated, they presented differences in spatial distribution and dynamic range, thus suggesting different sensitivities to tissue composition. This study suggests that T~1ρ~ may be sensitive to early degenerative changes (corroborating previous studies) and clinical symptoms in intervertebral disc degeneration. Magn Reson Med 63:1193–1200, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.