[The state of water in intervertebral disks from data of relaxation analysis using an NMR-tomogram]

Distribution and dynamical characteristics of water molecules in normal and degeneratively changed rabbit intervertebral discs (ID) are estimated basing on the biexponential relaxation analysis of MR-images. Degenerative-dystrophic changes in a rabbit spine were modelled via a spine segmental blood supply injury and, in some cases, removal of ID nuclei. Extreme distributions of relaxation parameters in the ID plane characteristic of intact IDs are shown to be disturbed in cases of ID degenerative changes. These results allow to link ID fibrosis to a water balance disorder and to give a method for estimating the spine destruction degree for clinical MR-imaging.