Magnetic resonance imaging reflects the chemical changes of aging degeneration in the human intervertebral disk
Pearce, R.H.; Thompson, J.P.; Bebault, G.M.; Flak, B.
Journal of Rheumatology. Suppl 27: 42-43
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0380-0903 PMID: 2027127 Document Number: 383617
T2 weighed spin echo magnetic resonance images (MRI) of the intervertebral disks of 4 lumbar spines were graded and the nuclei pulposi were analyzed for water, collagen and proteoglycan. The brightness of the nuclear image correlated directly with the proteoglycan concentration, but not with the water or collagen. The dark midnuclear cleft had a collagen concentration slightly higher and a water concentration slightly lower than the adjacent zones; no corresponding differences in proteoglycan were seen, although the relationship with MRI grade was confirmed.