Evaluation of intervertebral disc cartilaginous endplate structure using magnetic resonance imaging
Evaluation of intervertebral disc cartilaginous endplate structure using magnetic resonance imaging
复制标题
DOI：
10.1007/s00586-013-2798-1
复制
发表时间：
2013-08-01
影响因子：
2.8
通讯作者：
Elliott, Dawn M.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Moon, Sung M.;Yoder, Jonathon H.;Elliott, Dawn M.
软骨终板 (CEP) 是一层薄薄的透明软骨，位于椎体终板和髓核 (NP) 之间，既充当机械屏障，又充当营养物质输送到椎间盘的门户。尽管 CEP 在椎间盘营养和退变中发挥着关键作用，但其形态尚未得到很好的表征。本研究的目的是可视化和报告 CEP 三维形态的观察结果，并使用 MRI FLASH（快速低角度拍摄）脉冲序列量化 CEP 厚度。在 7T MRI 扫描仪中对离体人类尸体腰椎节段 (N = 17) 进行 MR 成像，序列参数通过利用高分辨率 T1 映射和分析 MRI 信号模型来选择，以优化 CEP 和 NP 之间的图像对比度。测量沿中矢状 AP 方向（中心、向前和向后偏离中心 5 mm、10 mm）五个位置的 CEP 厚度，并使用双向方差分析和事后 Bonferonni 检验进行分析。为了进一步研究，六名体内志愿者在 3T MRI 扫描仪中使用类似的序列进行了成像。此外，还进行了脱钙和未脱钙组织学检查，证实 FLASH 序列成功检测到了 CEP。通过 MRI 在所有腰椎间盘水平和位置的正中矢状面上确定的 CEP 厚度为 0.77 +/- A 0.24 mm 离体。 CEP 厚度在不同椎间盘水平上没有差异，但朝椎间盘中心更薄。这项研究证明了 MRI FLASH 成像在 CEP 几何结构量化方面的潜力，在未来的应用中可能会开发出一种技术来评估 CEP 随椎间盘退变的变化。
The cartilaginous endplate (CEP) is a thin layer of hyaline cartilage positioned between the vertebral endplate and nucleus pulposus (NP) that functions both as a mechanical barrier and as a gateway for nutrient transport into the disc. Despite its critical role in disc nutrition and degeneration, the morphology of the CEP has not been well characterized. The objective of this study was to visualize and report observations of the CEP three-dimensional morphology, and quantify CEP thickness using an MRI FLASH (fast low-angle shot) pulse sequence.MR imaging of ex vivo human cadaveric lumbar spine segments (N = 17) was performed in a 7T MRI scanner with sequence parameters that were selected by utilizing high-resolution T1 mapping, and an analytical MRI signal model to optimize image contrast between CEP and NP. The CEP thickness at five locations along the mid-sagittal AP direction (center, 5 mm, 10 mm off-center towards anterior and posterior) was measured, and analyzed using two-way ANOVA and a post hoc Bonferonni test. For further investigation, six in vivo volunteers were imaged with a similar sequence in a 3T MRI scanner. In addition, decalcified and undecalcified histology was performed, which confirmed that the FLASH sequence successfully detected the CEP.CEP thickness determined by MRI in the mid-sagittal plane across all lumbar disc levels and locations was 0.77 +/- A 0.24 mm ex vivo. The CEP thickness was not different across disc levels, but was thinner toward the center of the disc.This study demonstrates the potential of MRI FLASH imaging for structural quantification of the CEP geometry, which may be developed as a technique to evaluate changes in the CEP with disc degeneration in future applications.