In vivo quantification of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration using axial T2 mapping

IntroductionT2 (transverse relaxation time) mapping has the potential to quantitatively valuate deterioration of intervertebral disc (IVD) molecular composition and structural integrity1). T2 is sensitive to water content and arrangement of ollagen network structure2,3) and is also influenced by the dipolar interaction due to anisotropic motion of water molecules in the collagen matrix. A high T2 for the nucleus pulposus (NP) has been demonstrated in healthy IVDs; T2 decreases with the decrease of water content associated with disc degeneration. In contrast, T2 for the annulus fibrosus (AF) is low in healthy IVDs, and it increases with increased water content and loss of collagen anisotropy. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of using T2 mapping to detect the early degeneration of IVD.Joint Annual Meeting ISMRM-ESMRM