An In Vitro Study of the Intervertebral Disc Structure Using 3 T Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text

The potential of 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to obtain higher quality 2D/3D data-sets of the intervertebral disc (IVD) has been investigated using cadaveric IVDs and three clinical imaging protocols optimized based on image quality. Details of the IVD substructure including annulus and endplate features were seen better than what is normally seen in routine clinical MRI.

Abstract

Study Design.

An in vitro magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study.

Objective.

Investigate the potential of high-field MRI for producing higher quality images of the intervertebral disc (IVD) to better distinguish structural details.

Summary of Background Data.

Higher spatial and contrast resolution are important advantages when imaging the complex tissue structures in the spine such as the IVDs. However, at present it is challenging to capture the substructural details in the IVD such as the lamellae.

Methods.

Three MRI sequences; two-dimensional proton-density-weighted Turbo-Spin-Echo (PD-TSE), 2D T2-weighted Turbo-Spin-Echo (T2W-TSE) with fat-saturation (FS), and 3D Spoiled-Gradient-Echo (3D-GE), were modified based on the image quality and scan duration. IVDs of three intact cadaveric lumbar-spines (T12–S1, Age 83–94 yr) were imaged using these optimized sequences. Thereafter each IVD was transversely sectioned and the exposed surfaces were photographed. Landmark observations from corresponding MRI slices and photographs were compared to confirm the MRI captured morphology. The image quality was evaluated using signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and relative-contrast values. Finally, the underlying tissue structures, including specific pathological features, were qualitatively compared between the MR images and photographs.

Results.

Observations from photographs and corresponding MRI slices matched well. The PD-TSE sequence had better overall SNR, but the relative contrast between the tissue types was relatively poor. The 3D-GE sequence had higher relative contrast between the IVD and bone, but not between annulus and nucleus regions. The T2W images provided the best relative contrast between the annulus and nucleus, however the standard deviations here were high. Structural details including fissures, vascular and granular tissue proliferation, and pathologies in the endplate region, were identifiable from the MR images obtained using the optimized sequences.

Conclusion.

The results demonstrate the potential of high-field MRI to capture the IVD structural details. Since the acquisition durations were within clinically acceptable levels, these methodological improvements have the potential to enhance clinical diagnostics.

Level of Evidence: 4