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Updated: Jan 17, 2026
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Chronic Spinal Cord Compression
Published on: May 7, 2019
Regional T2 value differences assess lumbar disc degeneration: a 3.0-T MRI retrospective study
Shunmin Wang1,2, Jiangang Shi3, Tiefeng Li1
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Spine Center, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical Center of PLA, Shanghai, China.
Objectives:
To quantify region-specific T2 relaxation dynamics in lumbar disc degeneration and evaluate their correlations with Pfirrmann grades and herniation morphology, focusing on early microstructural detection.
Methods:
This retrospective cohort study analyzed 130 lumbar discs (L1-S1) from 26 patients with single-segment disc herniation using 3.0-T MRI. T2 relaxation mapping was systematically performed with anatomical compartment segmentation defining four regions of interest: anterior annulus fibrosus, nucleus pulposus, posterior annulus fibrosus, and herniated tissue. Standardized circular ROIs (2.5-mm diameter) were applied to non-herniated regions, while herniations underwent area-matched elliptical contouring. Pfirrmann grading (I-V) was independently validated by two board-certified musculoskeletal radiologists. Statistical analyses employed nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis tests for inter-grade T2 comparisons and Spearman's rank correlation (ρ) to quantify degeneration associations.
Results:
Statistically significant differences in T2 values were observed across the three anatomical compartments (*p*<0.05). T2 relaxation times demonstrated an inverse correlation with Pfirrmann degeneration grades, exhibiting the strongest association in the nucleus pulposus (middle compartment; r=-0.542). This correlation intensified with advancing degeneration. Sagittal T2 comparisons revealed significant differences between Pfirrmann grade I/II and IV/V groups in all compartments, while the nucleus pulposus showed significant differences between grades I/II and III. Within identical degeneration grades, nucleus pulposus T2 values exceeded those of the anterior annulus fibrosus. Specifically, in Pfirrmann I/II discs, posterior annulus values surpassed anterior annulus values, whereas in grade IV/V discs, nucleus pulposus values exceeded posterior annulus values, with no significant anterior-posterior difference. Cross-sectionally, the nucleus pulposus exhibited the highest T2 values, while herniated tissue demonstrated the lowest.
Conclusions:
Region-specific T2 mapping demonstrates potential for detecting early microstructural degeneration within lumbar intervertebral discs.
