Progress of MR imaging markers in the diagnosis of intervertebral disc degeneration and discogenic low back pain / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Low back pain (LBP) is no specific pain in most cases, and 39% to 41% of which is discogenic LBP. Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVD) is basic pathologic change of discogenic LBP. Routine MRI can't quantitatively diagnose IVD and discogenic LBP, but with the application of quantitative MR technology, noninvasive ways to detect components and structure in intervertebral disc become possible. MR imaging markers are various parameter information or images obtained by quantitative MRI, such as T1ρ value, T2 mapping relaxation time, ADC value, FA value, MTR asym value, K sw value, △T1 value, spectral information of metabolic substances, etc. Through the analysis of these information, we can quantitatively measure the content of specific substances in the intervertebral disc and get information about the structure changes in the disc. MR imaging markers can provide accurate and comprehensive information for discogenic LBP and IVD in early stage.