Won C. Bae1, Tomoaki Yoshikawa2,
Richard Znamirowski1, Aseem R. Hemmad2, Bruno C. Vande
Berg3, Christine B. Chung1, Koichi Masuda2,
Graeme M. Bydder1
1Radiology, University of California,
San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States; 2Orthopaedic Surgery,
University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States; 3Radiology,
Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, Universit Catholique de Louvain, Brussels,
Belgium
UTE
MR image of human lumbar spine reveals distinct linear signal near disc
endplates, unlike signal voids seen in conventional MR images. Normal and
abnormal (loss and diminution) patterns of UTE signal were evaluated in 29
lumbar spines at different levels. In addition, disc degeneration was
evaluated in T2-weighted spin echo images using Pfirrmann grading system. UTE
signal abnormality did not depend on the level, but was increasingly found in
levels with advanced disc degeneration. The present results demonstrated
unique ability of UTE MRI to directly evaluate region near endplate, and
association between endplate MR changes with disc degeneration.