Faculty Collaboration Database

Association between intervertebral disc degeneration and endplate perfusion studied by DCE-MRI. Eur Spine J 2015 Apr;24(4):679-85

Date

11/26/2014

Pubmed ID

25421547

DOI

10.1007/s00586-014-3690-3

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84939981750 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   25 Citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to study the association between solute transport mechanisms in cartilaginous disc endplates and the degeneration of intervertebral discs. Intervertebral disc degeneration is a multi-factorial process. It is suspected that poor nutrient delivery to discs might be a factor leading to degeneration. Several studies suggest that defects in disc endplates could lead to poor transport of nutrients. An imaging technique assessing endplate perfusion could be a valuable tool in investigating disc degeneration. There is currently no universally accepted technique assessing endplate perfusion in vivo.

METHODS: Nine adult patients exhibiting varying levels of intervertebral disc degeneration were included. MRI was used to study the association between blood perfusion in 90 lumbar disc endplates and disc degeneration in 45 lumbar discs. Solute transport mechanism through endplates was assessed indirectly by dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) MRI. T2-weighted MRI was used for conventional Pfirrmann classification.

RESULTS: A positive association was observed between Pfirrmann grades and endplate DCE-MRI enhancement. A differential enhancement between cranial and caudal endplates was also observed, which increased with Pfirrmann grades. This differential enhancement was also dependent on the lumbar level.

CONCLUSIONS: Increased MRI signal enhancement in the cartilaginous endplates of degenerated discs might indicate damage to the subchondral bone of the vertebral bodies. The endplate enhancement characteristic could aid in understanding the pathophysiology of disc degeneration and planning treatment more effectively.

Author List

Muftuler LT, Jarman JP, Yu HJ, Gardner VO, Maiman DJ, Arpinar VE

Author

Lutfi Tugan Muftuler PhD Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Biological Transport
Contrast Media
Female
Gadolinium DTPA
Humans
Intervertebral Disc
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
Lumbar Vertebrae
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Middle Aged