Degenerative disc disease is the most common cause of low back pain. Intervertebral\ndisc abnormalities are commonly evaluated by magnetic resonance\nimaging (MRI), and Pfirrmannâ??s system involves the use of T2-weighted images\n(T2WI) to classify disc degeneration. However, as this classification is\nbased on visual evaluation, it is not possible to quantify degeneration using\nthis method. The present study was performed to establish an MRI-based intervertebral\ndisc classification system using diffusional kurtosis imaging\n(DKI), to quantify intervertebral disc water content according to the Pfirrmann\nclassification. Sagittal mean diffusional kurtosis (MK) mapping was\nperformed for the L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S1 intervertebral discs in 32 patients (15\nfemale, 17 male; age range, 24 - 82 years; mean age, 57.7 years). The degree of\ndisc degeneration was assessed in the midsagittal section on T2WI according\nto the Pfirrmann classification (grade I - V). The relationships between MK\nvalues, which are correlated with intervertebral disc composition changes,\nand grade of degeneration determined using the Pfirrmann classification\nwere analyzed. The MK values tended to decrease with increasing grade of\ndegeneration, and differed significantly between grades I and IV, but not between\ngrade IV and V................
Loading....