Regional T2 value differences assess lumbar disc degeneration: a 3.0-T MRI retrospective study.

IF 2.6 3区医学 Q2 CLINICAL NEUROLOGY

Neuroradiology Pub Date : 2025-09-25 DOI:10.1007/s00234-025-03762-3

Shunmin Wang, Jiangang Shi, Tiefeng Li, Xiaofeng Zhang, Kaiqiang Sun, Yu Chen

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives: To quantify region-specific T2 relaxation dynamics in lumbar disc degeneration and evaluate their correlations with Pfirrmann grades and herniation morphology, focusing on early microstructural detection.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed 130 lumbar discs (L1-S1) from 26 patients with single-segment disc herniation using 3.0-T MRI. T2 relaxation mapping was systematically performed with anatomical compartment segmentation defining four regions of interest: anterior annulus fibrosus, nucleus pulposus, posterior annulus fibrosus, and herniated tissue. Standardized circular ROIs (2.5-mm diameter) were applied to non-herniated regions, while herniations underwent area-matched elliptical contouring. Pfirrmann grading (I-V) was independently validated by two board-certified musculoskeletal radiologists. Statistical analyses employed nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis tests for inter-grade T2 comparisons and Spearman's rank correlation (ρ) to quantify degeneration associations.

Results: Statistically significant differences in T2 values were observed across the three anatomical compartments (*p*<0.05). T2 relaxation times demonstrated an inverse correlation with Pfirrmann degeneration grades, exhibiting the strongest association in the nucleus pulposus (middle compartment; r=-0.542). This correlation intensified with advancing degeneration. Sagittal T2 comparisons revealed significant differences between Pfirrmann grade I/II and IV/V groups in all compartments, while the nucleus pulposus showed significant differences between grades I/II and III. Within identical degeneration grades, nucleus pulposus T2 values exceeded those of the anterior annulus fibrosus. Specifically, in Pfirrmann I/II discs, posterior annulus values surpassed anterior annulus values, whereas in grade IV/V discs, nucleus pulposus values exceeded posterior annulus values, with no significant anterior-posterior difference. Cross-sectionally, the nucleus pulposus exhibited the highest T2 values, while herniated tissue demonstrated the lowest.

Conclusions: Region-specific T2 mapping demonstrates potential for detecting early microstructural degeneration within lumbar intervertebral discs.

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区域T2值差异评估腰椎间盘退变：3.0 t MRI回顾性研究。

目的：量化腰椎间盘退变的区域特异性T2松弛动力学，并评估其与Pfirrmann分级和突出形态的相关性，重点关注早期显微结构检测。方法：采用3.0 t MRI对26例单节段腰椎间盘突出患者的130个腰椎间盘（L1-S1）进行回顾性队列研究。T2松弛定位系统地进行了解剖室分割，定义了四个感兴趣的区域：纤维前环、髓核、纤维后环和突出组织。标准化圆形roi（直径2.5 mm）应用于非疝区，而疝区则进行面积匹配的椭圆轮廓。Pfirrmann分级（I-V）由两名委员会认证的肌肉骨骼放射科医生独立验证。统计分析采用非参数Kruskal-Wallis检验进行T2级间比较，并采用Spearman等级相关（ρ）来量化变性相关。结果：在三个解剖区间观察到T2值具有统计学意义的差异(*p*结论：区域特异性T2制图显示了检测腰椎间盘早期微结构变性的潜力。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Neuroradiology 医学-核医学

CiteScore

5.30

自引率

3.60%

发文量

214

审稿时长

4-8 weeks

期刊介绍： Neuroradiology aims to provide state-of-the-art medical and scientific information in the fields of Neuroradiology, Neurosciences, Neurology, Psychiatry, Neurosurgery, and related medical specialities. Neuroradiology as the official Journal of the European Society of Neuroradiology receives submissions from all parts of the world and publishes peer-reviewed original research, comprehensive reviews, educational papers, opinion papers, and short reports on exceptional clinical observations and new technical developments in the field of Neuroimaging and Neurointervention. The journal has subsections for Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Advanced Neuroimaging, Paediatric Neuroradiology, Head-Neck-ENT Radiology, Spine Neuroradiology, and for submissions from Japan. Neuroradiology aims to provide new knowledge about and insights into the function and pathology of the human nervous system that may help to better diagnose and treat nervous system diseases. Neuroradiology is a member of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and follows the COPE core practices. Neuroradiology prefers articles that are free of bias, self-critical regarding limitations, transparent and clear in describing study participants, methods, and statistics, and short in presenting results. Before peer-review all submissions are automatically checked by iThenticate to assess for potential overlap in prior publication.