MRI T2 mapping correlates with biochemistry and histology in intervertebral disc degeneration in a large animal model

• Published in: European spine journal 2015-09, Vol.24 (9), p.1935-1943
• Main Authors: Detiger, Suzanne E. L., Holewijn, Roderick M., Hoogendoorn, Roel J. W., van Royen, Barend J., Helder, Marco N., Berger, Ferco H., Kuijer, Joost P. A., Smit, Theo H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biochemistry; Disease Models, Animal; Glycosaminoglycans - analysis; Goats; Humans; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration - diagnosis; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration - pathology; Linear Models; Lumbar Vertebrae - pathology; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neurosurgery; Observer Variation; Original Article; Surgical Orthopedics
• ISSN: 0940-6719; 1432-0932
• DOI: 10.1007/s00586-014-3498-1

Purpose To evaluate intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration and treatments, an objective diagnostic tool is needed. Recently, T2* relaxation time mapping was proposed as a technique to assess early IVD degeneration, yet the correlation with biochemical content and histological features has not been investigated previously. Our objective was to validate T2* mapping for disc degeneration by correlating this technique with accepted parameters of IVD degeneration. Methods Mildly and severely degenerated lumbar discs were obtained from an in vivo large animal study; two healthy goat spines were acquired as control. In total, 48 IVDs were analysed using T2-weighted MRI, T2* relaxation time mapping, biochemical assays, macroscopic and histological scoring. Correlations between variables were expressed with Spearman’s rho (ρ) coefficients. Results A complete range of degenerative grades were obtained (mean histological grade 2.2, range 0–6). A linear positive correlation was observed between T2* relaxation time and glycosaminoglycan content ( ρ  = 0.64, p