Magnetic resonance T1ρ versus T2 mapping for evaluating ischemic lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration in a rabbit model

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2017.31.019

Abstract

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: MRI T1ρ and T2 mapping have been applied to study lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration in human and rhesus monkey, showing that they can be used for evaluating the early degeneration, but their application in New Zealand rabbit lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration is never reported.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the relaxation time values of T1ρ and T2 mapping at different time points in a New Zealand rabbit model of ischemic lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration, and to compare the sensitivity for degeneration.

METHODS: Fifteen New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups, and one of intervertebral discs at L_4-5, L_5-6and L_6-7was designed for ischemic lumbar intervertebral disc degenerative model and the other two discs for controls. All the rabbits underwent T1ρ and T2 mapping preoperatively, 1, 3 or 6 months postoperatively to analyze the changes in the relaxation time at different time points.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) In the modeling group, the T2 mapping relaxation time of nucleus pulposus was (118.53±20.51) ms and (85.42±11.65) ms at 3 and 6 months after modeling, respectively, which showed significant difference when compared with preoperatively (146.21±16.93) ms (P < 0.05); but the time showed no significant difference compared with 1 month after modeling (P > 0.05). (2)T1ρ relaxation time of nucleus pulposus was (64.75±14.63) ms at 6 months after modeling, which showed significant difference when compared with preoperatively (87.88±8.87) ms (P < 0.05); but the time showed no significant difference compared with 1 and 3 months after modeling (P > 0.05). (3) In the control group, there was no significant difference in the T1ρ or T2 mapping relaxation time of nucleus pulposus before operation with 1, 3 or 6 months after operation (P > 0.05). The Pfirrmann grade of lumbar intervertebral disc was changed to Pfirrmann grades II-III at 6 months after modeling. (4) These results suggest that MR T1ρ and T2 mapping both are quantitative tools for evaluating the progress of ischemic lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration in New Zealand rabbits, especially the T2 mapping MRI may be more sensitive to early degenerative changes.

中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：人工关节；骨植入物；脊柱；骨折；内固定；数字化骨科；组织工程

Key words: Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Intervertebral Disk, Intervertebral Disk Degeneration

CLC Number:

R318

Meng Zhong-meng, Pan Xi-min, Chen Ying-ming, Chen Li-qiang, Wu Zhi-qiang, Zhuang Wen-quan. Magnetic resonance T1ρ versus T2 mapping for evaluating ischemic lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration in a rabbit model [J]. Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research, 2017, 21(31): 5031-5035.

Figures/Tables 2

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