Study Design: An in-vitro study of the intervertebral disc (IVD) structure using 9.4T Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Objective: Investigate the potential of ultra-high-field strength MRI for higher quality 3D volumetric MRI data-sets of the IVD to better distinguish structural details. Summary of Background Data: MRI has the advantages of being non-destructive and three dimensional in comparison to most techniques used to obtain the structural details of biological tissues, however its poor image quality at higher resolution is a limiting factor. Ultra-high-field MRI could improve the imaging of biological tissues but the current understanding of its application for spinal tissue is limited. Methods: Two ovine spinal segments (C7T1, T2T3) containing the IVD were separately imaged using two sequences; 3D-Spin-Echo (multislice-multiecho) pulse sequence for the C7T1 sample and 3D-Gradient-Echo (Fast-Low-Angle-Shot) pulse sequence for the T2T3 sample. The C7T1 sample was subsequently decalcified and imaged again using the same scanning parameters. Histological sections obtained from the decalcified sample were stained followed by digital scanning. Observations from corresponding MRI slices and histological sections were compared as a method of confirmation of morphology captured under MRI. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and relative-contrast values were calculated for quantitative evaluation of image quality. Results: Measurements from histology sections and corresponding MRI slices matched well. Both sequences revealed finer details of the IVD structure. Under the spin-echo sequence, the annulus lamellae architecture was distinguishable and the SNR and CNR values were higher. The relative contrast was considerably higher between high (nucleus) and low (bone) signal constituents, but between the nucleus and the annulus the relative contrast was low. Under the gradient echo sequence, although the relative contrasts between constituents were poor, the fibre orientation was clearly manifested. Conclusions: The obtained positive results demonstrate the potential of ultra-high-field strength MRI to non-destructively capture the IVD structure.
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)