Correlation between MR imaging and pathological features of nucleus pulposus degeneration in the lumbar disc / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the correlation between MR imaging and pathological features of nucleus pulposus degeneration in the lumbar disc, and to provide a reliable evidence to evaluate the nucleus pulposus degeneration by MR imaging relative signal intensity. Methods From January 2001 to December 2001, 91 patients who underwent operative treatment for lumbar disc diseases were recruited for the study, while 4 lumbar fracture patients with no previous low back pain and 2 fresh brain-injury cadavers were recruited for contrast study. Before operation, the relative signal intensity was measured in MRI T2WI images. All 117 specimens were dyed with HE and Alcian blue CEC. The water content was also detected. The correlation between MRI relative signal intensity and chondroitin sulfate index, water content was analyzed with SPSS 10.0 software, the correlation between chondroitin sulfate index and water content was analyzed as well. Results There was significant difference between the above mentioned two groups when MRI relative signal intensity, chondroitin sulfate index and water content was compared. Whereas there was no significant statistical difference when keratin sulfate index was compared between the two groups. MRI relative signal intensity positively correlated with water content and chondroitin sulfate index, and the chondroitin sulfate index positively correlated with water content. Conclusion The MRI relative signal intensity reflects not only the water content, but also the pathological characteristics of nucleus pulposus degeneration. The quantitative classification of relative signal intensity in MRI is a method to identify the grades of nucleus pulposus degeneration.