Queenie Chan1,2, Mina Kim2,
Marina-Portia Anthony2, Kenneth MC Cheung3, Aaron Chan2,
Tao Chan2, Pek-Lan Khong2
1Philips Healthcare, Hong Kong, China; 2Department
of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; 3Division
of Spine Surgery, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of
Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Diagnostic
techniques based on conventional T2-weighted images are commonly used for
disc degeneration but are subjective and not sensitive to subtle changes in
the intervertebral discs (IVDs). Therefore, quantitative assessment would
play an important role in greatly improving the evaluation of disc
degeneration. In this study, we performed quantitative T1ρ and T2
measurements in human lumbar IVDs. Our results suggest that different
degenerative-related changes taking place in between the central nucleus
pulposus and the outer annulus fibrosus can be quantitatively assessed using
T1ρ and T2 mapping which may provide complementary information to better
understand pathophysiological mechanisms in disc degeneration.