• Xiaoqing Liang, Ruyi Xie, Bowen Hou, Yitong Li, Yan Xiong, Cuilin Yin, Weiyin Vivian Liu, John Morelli, and Xiaoming Li.
• Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095, Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
• Eur Spine J. 2020 Oct 1; 29 (10): 2600-2608.

PurposeTo evaluate the feasibility of histogram analysis of T2* value for the detection and grading of degenerative lumbar intervertebral discs (IVDs) and for the characterization of microstructural heterogeneity of discs.MethodsTwo hundred fourteen lumbar IVDs of 44 subjects with chronic low back pain were examined using sagittal T2WI and axial T2* mapping. All IVDs were classified according to the Pfirrmann grade on T2WI. The correlations between histogram-derived parameters based on T2* values (T2*-HPs) of IVDs and Pfirrmann grade as well as between "red zone ratio" (area of "red zone" on T2* color maps over cross-sectional area of corresponding IVDs) and Pfirrmann grade were calculated.ResultsThe agreement for Pfirrmann grade of IVDs was excellent (κ = 0.808, P < 0.001). The consistency of the measured T2*-HPs was excellent, with ICCs ranging from 0.828-0.960. Each histogram-derived parameter had a statistically significant relationship with Pfirrmann grade (P < 0.001). The bright "red zone" on T2* color maps of IVDs displayed as a separated peak relative to the rest of voxels in histograms. The mean area ratio of "red zone" over the corresponding IVD was 9.234% ± 6.680 and ranged from 0.517% to 30.598%. The "red zone ratio" was highly related to Pfirrmann grade (r = - 0.732, P < 0.001).ConclusionHistogram analysis of T2* value is an effective tool for the detection and grading of degenerative IVDs. Identification of the "red zone" may provide new breakthroughs in the study of disc degeneration initiation and generate new hypotheses in anatomical and histological studies of IVDs.

12 keywords...

hide…