Feasibility of T2 Mapping and Magnetic Transfer Ratio for Diagnosis of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration at the Cervicothoracic Junction: A Pilot Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) at the cervicothoracic junction of spine is clinically relevant, however, little attention had been paid. T2 mapping and magnetic transfer ratio (MTR) are useful magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to quantitatively evaluate IDD, revealing the biochemical changes within the intervertebral disc. To compare T2 mapping with MTR imaging regarding their accuracy to quantitatively diagnose intervertebral disc degeneration at the cervicothoracic junction, influences of anatomical level, gender, age, and Pfirrmann grade of T2 relaxation time values and MTR values were evaluated.

Methods

Sixty-seven patients with neck and upper back pain were included and examined with both T2 mapping and MTR imaging. The Pfirrmann grade, T2 r

SUBMITTER: Zhang C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6521330 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature