Advanced trends in magnetic resonance imaging in assessment of lumbar intervertebral degenerative disk disease

AbstractBackgroundT2 mapping and DWI are newly quantitated method for disk degeneration assessment; they were used in the determination of an early stage of intervertebral disk degeneration. T2 mapping was quantitatively sensitive for detecting the early stage and aging-related changes in intervertebral disk degeneration. Furthermore, T2 mapping and apparent diffusion coefficient values (ADC) in lumbar intervertebral disks indirectly correlated with the Pfirrmann grades in IVDD and age-related disk degeneration. The aim of this study is to evaluate the sensitivity of T2 mapping and apparent diffusion coefficient in the determination of an early stage of intervertebral disk degeneration.ResultsT2 relaxometry values were found to decrease with the increased disk degeneration except in grade V where it was found to be increased again. There was a negative correlation between T2 values and semi-quantitative grading (Pfirrmann Grading) of disk degeneration and T2 values were significantly different when comparing grade I to V. A T2 value of nucleus pulposus (NP) was more sensitive than annulus fibrosus (AF) and entire of the disk. ADC values were found to decrease with the increased degree of disk degeneration; there was a weakly significant negative correlation between age and T2 mapping values, ADC values of nucleus pulposus, and entire of disk.ConclusionT2 mapping was significantly different when comparing grade I to V while ADC value had a significant weak negative correlation with age, so T2 mapping and to a little extent ADC can be used for quantitative analysis of early disk generation seeking for early diagnosis and better management.