Ultrashort Echo Time Magnetic Resonance Morphology of Discovertebral Junction in Chronic Low Back Pain Subjects

Background: Chronic low back pain (LBP) has been associated with intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration, but its association with abnormal morphology at the discovertebral junction (DVJ) is unclear. The goal of this study was to evaluate the DVJ morphology in asymptomatic (Asx) and symptomatic (Sx) subjects for LBP using ultrashort echo time (UTE) MRI. Methods: We recruited 42 subjects (12 Asx and 32 Sx). Lumbar IVD degeneration was assessed using Pfirrmann grading (1 to 5), while the abnormality of DVJ (0 = normal; 1 = focal; 2 = broad abnormality) was assessed using UTE MRI. The effects of LBP and level on the mean IVD and DVJ grades, the correlation between IVD and DVJ grade, and the effect of LBP and age on the number of abnormal DVJs within a subject were determined. Results: IVD grade was higher in Sx subjects (p = 0.013), varying with disc level (p = 0.033), adjusted for age (p < 0.01). Similarly, DVJ grade was also significantly higher in Sx subjects (p = 0.001), but it did not vary with DVJ level (p = 0.7), adjusted for age (p = 0.5). There was a weak positive (rho = 0.344; p < 0.001) correlation between DVJ and IVD grade. The total number of abnormal DVJs within a subject was higher in Sx subjects (p < 0.001), but not with respect to age (p = 0.6) due to a large spread throughout the age range. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the feasibility of using in vivo UTE MRI of the lumbar spine to evaluate the DVJ and the correlation of DVJ with LBP. This study highlights the need for a better understanding of DVJ pathology and the inclusion of DVJ assessment in routine lumbar MRI.