Comparison of three MRI quantitative sequences (T1, T2 and T2* mapping) and two drawing approaches for the assessment of lumbar disc degeneration in an ovine model

摘要

Introduction: Recently, quantitative MRI have been developed to detect in vivo early lumbar intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration in human and in various animal models such as sheep. Numerous human and animal studies using different approaches have shown the interest of T2 and T2* relaxation time measurements1,2but only few have evaluated the T1 mapping method3. A standardized method of acquisition which can be applied in preclinical as well as in clinical studies is needed. It should be easy, reproducible and not time-consuming. Our objective was to compare MRI T1, T2 and T2* mapping methods using different region-of-interest (ROI). These ROI were defined by two drawing methods in the lumbar ovine IVD to determine the most suitable and applicable approach that can be used in pre- and clinical studies.