Preliminary Study of Magnetic Resonance T1ρ in Early Detection of Disc Degeneration / 中国医学影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

Purpose To investigate the value of 3.0T MR T1ρquantitative analysis in early detection of disc degeneration. Materials and Methods Conventional T2WI and T1ρwere collected in 35 healthy volunteers (male 16, female 19) on 3.0T MRI, and the classification of disc nucleus was performed by Pfirrmann classification. T1ρvalue of nucleus pulposus was measured and analyzed for the relationship among Pfirrmann classification, segmental and gender. Results There was a significant negative correlation between T1ρvalue and Pfirrmann grade (r=-0.542, P0.05);there was no gender differences among the T1ρvalue of each segment (t=0.006, 0.042, 0.797, 1.022, 0.038, P>0.05). Conclusion T1ρ value is closely related to the degree of disc degeneration, and T1ρimaging can be used as an objective, sensitive and effective tool for early detection of disc degeneration.