Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

MR imaging of degenerative disc disease in the lumbar spine with ultrashort TE pulse sequences

  • Published:
Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of using ultrashort TE (UTE) pulse sequences to image the lumbar spine.

Materials

Pulse sequences of TE=0.08 ms were used to image the lumbar spine in 5 normal subjects and 14 patients with degenerative disease. Contrast enhancement was administered in 11 cases.

Results

The sequences showed high signal in the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments, the cartilaginous end plate, the annulus fibrosus, the ligamentum flavum, interspinous ligaments and insertions of ligaments. Normal contrast enhancement was seen in these structures. Enhancement of hypertrophied ligaments and scar tissue was readily identified. Long T2 suppression techniques were useful in distinguishing enhancement of scar tissue from veins. Enhancement in discs was more obvious than with conventional sequences. In a case of thalassaemia bands of high signal were seen in the intervertebral discs parallel to the end plates.

Conclusion

The UTE sequences offer new options for visualizing discs, scar tissue, ligaments and other structures of the lumbar spine in health and disease.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Acknowledgements

We thank the Arthritis and Rheumatism Council for their support. We also thank D. Rodrigues for help in the preparation of this article.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Unit, Royal Brompton Hospital, Sydney Street, SW3 6NP, London, England

    Peter D. Gatehouse

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, , Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Road, W6 8RF, London, England

    Taigang He & Sean P. F. Hughes

  3. Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, 200 West Arbor Drive, San Diego, CA, 92103-8756, USA

    Graeme M. Bydder

Authors
  1. Peter D. Gatehouse
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Taigang He
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sean P. F. Hughes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Graeme M. Bydder
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Graeme M. Bydder.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gatehouse, P.D., He, T., Hughes, S.P.F. et al. MR imaging of degenerative disc disease in the lumbar spine with ultrashort TE pulse sequences. MAGMA 16, 160–166 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10334-003-0021-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10334-003-0021-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation