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Changes in perfusion and diffusion in the endplate regions of degenerating intervertebral discs: a DCE-MRI study

Volkan Emre Arpinar1, Scott D Rand2, Andrew P Klein2

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Froedtert Hospital, 9200 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA.

European Spine Journal : Official Publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
|August 5, 2015
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) reveals increased endplate enhancement with disc degeneration. This imaging technique may help understand disc damage and guide new treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Spinal imaging
  • Biomedical engineering

Background:

  • Intervertebral disc degeneration is a common cause of back pain.
  • Endplate changes are associated with disc degeneration.
  • Current imaging methods have limitations in assessing endplate pathophysiology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate associations between intervertebral disc degeneration and endplate perfusion/diffusion using DCE-MRI.
  • To analyze changes in DCE-MRI signal enhancement in degenerating disc endplates.
  • To explore the utility of DCE-MRI in understanding disc degeneration.

Main Methods:

  • 56 participants underwent Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) scans.
  • Analysis of DCE-MRI signal enhancement in endplate regions.
  • Group template generation and registration of enhancement maps for group analysis.

Main Results:

  • Significant DCE-MRI enhancement changes observed in cranial endplates with increased degeneration.
  • A non-significant trend of increased enhancement in caudal endplates.
  • Group-averaged maps showed altered spatial distribution of endplate perfusion and diffusion, particularly in peripheral regions, with advancing degeneration.

Conclusions:

  • Increased endplate enhancement in degenerating discs may indicate tissue damage.
  • DCE-MRI can aid in understanding the pathophysiology of disc degeneration.
  • DCE-MRI may assist in planning novel therapeutic strategies, including stem cell therapy.
Keywords:
Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imagingIntervertebral disc degenerationIntervertebral disc endplateLumbar spine

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