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Updated: Mar 3, 2026
Optical Sectioning and Visualization of the Intervertebral Disc from Embryonic Development to Degeneration
Published on: July 8, 2021
MR Elastography-derived Stiffness: A Biomarker for Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
Benjamin A Walter1, Prasath Mageswaran1, Xiaokui Mo1
1From the Spine Research Institute (B.A.W., P.M., H.M., W.T., E.M., W.S.M., A.K.), Department of Biomedical Engineering (B.A.W., A.K.), Department of Integrated Systems Engineering (P.M., W.S.M.), and Department of Biomedical Informatics (X.M.), the Ohio State University, 395 W 12th Ave, 4th Floor Radiology, Columbus, OH 43210; and Departments of Radiology (D.J.B., X.V.N., L.M.P., B.D.R., P.K., A.K.) and Neurologic Surgery (H.M., W.T., E.M.), the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio.
Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) measurements of intervertebral disc (IVD) stiffness are highly repeatable throughout the day. Increased stiffness correlates with IVD degeneration, suggesting MRE as a potential biomarker for disc health.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Radiology
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a common cause of low back pain.
- Accurate assessment of IVD health is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
- Magnetic resonance (MR) elastography offers a non-invasive method to measure tissue stiffness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the repeatability of MR elastography-derived shear stiffness measurements of the IVD.
- To investigate the relationship between IVD shear stiffness, degeneration, and subject age.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 47 subjects (20-71 years) without low back pain.
- In vivo lumbar MR elastography performed twice daily (morning and afternoon).
- Assessment of nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus shear stiffness using principal frequency analysis and correlation with Pfirrmann degeneration grade and age.
Main Results:
- Excellent technical repeatability for both nucleus pulposus (R=0.92) and annulus fibrosus (R=0.83) shear stiffness between morning and afternoon measurements.
- Significant increase in shear stiffness with higher Pfirrmann degeneration grades.
- Weak correlation between shear stiffness and subject age (R ≤ 0.32).
Conclusions:
- MR elastography-derived shear stiffness measurements of the IVD are highly repeatable.
- Shear stiffness increases with IVD degeneration and shows a weak correlation with age.
- MR elastography shows promise as an objective biomarker for assessing IVD degeneration.
