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Axial T1ρ MRI as a diagnostic imaging modality to quantify proteoglycan concentration in degenerative disc disease

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the study was to investigate if axial T1ρ MR images had similar accuracy as established sagittal T1ρ MRI for the assessment of proteoglycan concentration and content in intervertebral degenerated discs (IDDs).

Methods

T1ρ and T2-weighted MR images of 12 intervertebral discs (IVDs) from 3 harvested human lumbar spines (levels L1–L2 to L5–S1) were grouped across their degenerative grade (Pfirrmann scores) and analyzed using a 3T MRI scanner in the axial and sagittal views. Post-processing of axial T1ρ-weighted images was performed using a Wiener filter. Median axial T1ρ values for traced regions of interest (ROIs) on color maps were compared against ROIs in the corresponding location in the sagittal plane of each disc. Assessment of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) content was also performed.

Results

Comparison of post Wiener filtered mid-axial T1ρ values in the NP with corresponding mid-sagittal values revealed no statistical difference (P > 0.05). Higher axial T1ρ and biochemically measured GAGs content corresponded to a lower Pfirrmann grading of the IVDs. A strong association between the T1ρ values and the GAG contents was observed (r = 0.85, P = 0.0002).

Conclusions

The axial T1ρ methodology was validated against sagittal T1ρ providing an augmented spatial representation of IVD and can facilitate localization of focal degeneration within IVDs. T1ρ values provided a better granularity assessment of degenerative disc disease as it correlated with proteoglycan concentration. Thus, Wiener filtering is an effective tool for removing noise from T1ρ-weighted axial MR images.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Matthew Fenty for sagittal T1ρ imaging training, Yi Wen Shao for assessment of GAG content, Dr. Peter Jarzem for providing samples, Dr. Thomas Stefen for technical support and Dr. Bruce Pike for MRI access. This work was funded by AOSpine SRN 02/103, CIHR MOP-119564 and the McGill Scoliosis and Spinal Research Chair.

Conflict of interest

Our institution receives funding from the AONA for fellowship funding and funds from AO Foundation for research. The corresponding author sits on the Technical Commission for spinal deformity and is a consultant for Depuy Synthese.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopedics Research Laboratory of McGill University, Montreal General Hospital, 687 Pine Avenue West Suite L-4.65, Montreal, QC, H3A 1A1, Canada

    Kyle R. Mulligan, Rahul Gawri, Lisbet Haglund & Jean A. Ouellet

  2. McGill Scoliosis and Spine Group, Montreal General Hospital, 1650 Cedar Avenue Office B5-158.4, Montreal, QC, H3G 1A4, Canada

    Kyle R. Mulligan, Catherine E. Ferland, Rahul Gawri, Lisbet Haglund & Jean A. Ouellet

  3. Department of Radiology, Center for Magnetic Resonance and Optical Imaging, University of Pennsylvania, B1 Stellar-Chance Laboratories, 422 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Arijitt Borthakur

  4. Scoliosis and Spine Centre, Montreal Children Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, 2300 Tupper, C521, Montreal, H3H 2B1, Canada

    Catherine E. Ferland & Jean A. Ouellet

Authors
  1. Kyle R. Mulligan
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  2. Catherine E. Ferland
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  4. Arijitt Borthakur
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  5. Lisbet Haglund
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  6. Jean A. Ouellet
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jean A. Ouellet.

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Mulligan, K.R., Ferland, C.E., Gawri, R. et al. Axial T1ρ MRI as a diagnostic imaging modality to quantify proteoglycan concentration in degenerative disc disease. Eur Spine J 24, 2395–2401 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-014-3582-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-014-3582-6

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