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Feasibility study for evaluating early lumbar facet joint degeneration using axial T 1 ρ, T 2 , and T 2 * mapping in cartilage
Author(s) -
Hu Jianzhong,
Zhang Yi,
Duan Chunyue,
Peng Xianjing,
Hu Ping,
Lu Hongbin
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of magnetic resonance imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.563
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1522-2586
pISSN - 1053-1807
DOI - 10.1002/jmri.25596
Subject(s) - medicine , lumbar , nuclear medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , facet joint , low back pain , grading (engineering) , facet (psychology) , significant difference , anatomy , radiology , pathology , psychology , social psychology , civil engineering , alternative medicine , personality , big five personality traits , engineering
Purpose To assess the feasibility of axial T 2 ,T 2 * , and T 1 ρ mapping of lumbar facet joint (LFJ) cartilage for evaluation of early degeneration. Materials and Methods We examined a total of 176 LFJs from 21 volunteers using axial T 2 ,T 2 * , and T 1 ρ mapping with a 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. All LFJs were measured and grouped according to the presence of low back pain (LBP), the Weishaupt grading system, and the Pfirrmann grade of the adjacent intervertebral disk (IVD). T 2 ,T 2 * , and T 1 ρ values were analyzed and compared among the different groups. Results Low interobserver agreement was found in the Weishaupt grading of LFJs (κ = 0.161). The T 1 ρ values of LFJs were significantly different between adjacent two Pfirrmann grade of disks (grade I 50.15 ± 3.63 msec / grade II 53.27 ± 3.80 msec, P = 0.002; grade II 53.27 ± 3.80 msec / grade III 58.40 ± 4.17 msec, P < 0.01), and in different Weishaupt grades of LFJs ( P = 0.000).T 2 *values were only found significantly different between Pfirrmann grade I and III of disks ( P = 0.048). There was no significant difference in T 2 values of LFJs whatever in Pfirrmann ( P = 0.556) or Weishaupt grades ( P = 0.694). No significant difference was found in T 2 ,T 2 * , and T 1 ρ values between volunteers with LBP and without LBP ( P T2 = 0.783,P T 2 * = 0.311 , P T1 ρ = 0.259). Conclusion Axial T 1 ρ could be an effective and sensitive method to assess for early degenerative changes in LFJ cartilage. Level of Evidence: 1 Technical Efficacy : Stage 2 J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2017;46:468–475