Magnetic resonance imaging of T2 mapping in rabbit lumbar intervertebral disc / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:The magnetic resonance molecular imaging used in the research of lumbar disc degeneration includes T2 mapping and T1ρtechnologies at present. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the feasibility of 1.5 T MR equipment on T2 mapping of New Zealand white rabbits lumbar disc. METHODS:T2 mapping images of New Zealand white rabbit lumbar discs were obtained on 1.5 T MR equipment. The regions of interest T2 values of lumbar discs were measured with post-processing workstation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Sagittal and coronal T2 maps of 3-month rabbit discs were obtained satisfactorily on 1.5 T MR equipment. The regions of interest T2 values of nucleus pulposus in L 4/5 , L 5/6 and L 6/7 discs were (104.6±14.0) ms, (109.1±13.8) ms and (109.5±15.1) ms respectively at Pfirrmann regions of interest T2 values of anterior annulus fibrosus in L 4/5 , L 5/6 and L 6/7 discs were (82.1±9.5) ms, (80.4± 11.2) ms and (79.9±10.6) ms respectively, and T2 values of posterior annulus fibrosus in L 4/5 , L 5/6 and L 6/7 discs were (85.8±11.9) ms, (85.1±12.1) ms and (85.3±9.3) ms respectively. There were no significant differences in T2 values of nucleus pulposus, anterior annulus fibrosus and posterior annulus fibrosus in L 4/5 , L 5/6 and L 6/7 discs at PfirrmannⅠP>g 0ra.0d5e).( However, the T2 values of nucleus pulposus were higher than those of annulus fibrosus in the same discs (P0.05). The T2 values of rabbit lumbar discs obtained on 1.5 T MR equipment can be used for quantitative assessment of intervertebral disc signal.