Berger-Roscher Nikolaus, Galbusera Fabio, Rasche Volker, Wilke Hans-Joachim
Centre for Musculoskeletal Research (zmfu), Institute of Orthopaedic Research and Biomechanics, Ulm University, Helmholtzstraße 14, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Via Galeazzi 4, 20161, Milan, Italy.
Eur Spine J. 2015 Nov;24(11):2488-95. doi: 10.1007/s00586-015-4146-0. Epub 2015 Jul 24.
Tears and fissures in the intervertebral disc are probably influencing spinal stability. Discography investigations with the aim of fissure detection have been criticised and are discouraged. Therefore, alternative imaging methods, such as MRI, must be investigated.
A custom-made device was used to insert six needles with different diameters (0.3-2.2 mm/30-14 G) into the annulus of six bovine tail discs (Cy2-Cy3). Directly after removal of the needles, the discs were scanned in an 11.7 T MRI (Res.: 0.059 × 0.059 × 0.625 mm(3), tscan: 31 min), in a 3 T MRI with a clinical and additionally with two experimental protocols (exp_HR: Res.: 0.3 mm(3), tscan: 97 min/exp_LR: Res.: 0.5 mm(3), tscan: 13.4 min). The obtained images were analysed for lesion volume and lesion length using a 3D-reconstruction software.
At 11.7 T, all lesions were visible along with the lamellar structure of the annulus. In the clinical 3 T images, no lesions were visible at all. The 3 T experimental protocols revealed 4 (exp_HR) and 2 (exp_LR) of the 6 lesions. The reconstructed lesions did not have an ideal cylindrical shape. The measured volumes of the lesions ranged from 0.7 to 13.9 mm(3) (11.7 T), 0.1-11.4 mm(3) (exp_HR) and 0.0-12.4 mm(3) (exp_LR) and correlated, but were smaller than the corresponding needle size. The lengths of all needle lesions ranged from 2.9 to 12.3 mm (11.7 T), 0.8-9.7 mm (exp_HR) and 0.0-9.7 mm (exp_LR).
Ultra-high field MRI at 11.7 T is a non-invasive tool to directly visualise annular lesions in vitro, while a 3 T MRI, even with experimental protocols and longer scanning times, demonstrates limited ability. In vivo, it is problematic with the clinical systems available today.
椎间盘的撕裂和裂隙可能会影响脊柱稳定性。旨在检测裂隙的椎间盘造影检查受到批评且不被提倡。因此，必须研究诸如磁共振成像（MRI）等替代成像方法。
使用定制装置将六根不同直径（0.3 - 2.2毫米/30 - 14号）的针插入六个牛尾椎间盘（Cy2 - Cy3）的纤维环中。针取出后，立即在11.7特斯拉的MRI（分辨率：0.059×0.059×0.625毫米³，扫描时间：31分钟）、临床3特斯拉MRI以及另外两个实验方案（exp_HR：分辨率：0.3毫米³，扫描时间：97分钟/exp_LR：分辨率：0.5毫米³，扫描时间：13.4分钟）下对椎间盘进行扫描。使用三维重建软件分析所获得图像的损伤体积和损伤长度。
在11.7特斯拉时，所有损伤连同纤维环的层状结构均可看到。在临床3特斯拉图像中，根本看不到任何损伤。3特斯拉实验方案显示出6处损伤中的4处（exp_HR）和2处（exp_LR）。重建的损伤并非理想的圆柱形。所测量的损伤体积范围为0.7至13.9毫米³（11.7特斯拉）、0.1 - 11.4毫米³（exp_HR）和0.0 - 12.4毫米³（exp_LR），且相互关联，但小于相应的针的尺寸。所有针造成的损伤长度范围为2.9至12.3毫米（11.7特斯拉）、0.8 - 9.7毫米（exp_HR）和0.0 - 9.7毫米（exp_LR）。
11.7特斯拉的超高场MRI是一种在体外直接可视化纤维环损伤的非侵入性工具，而3特斯拉MRI，即使采用实验方案和更长的扫描时间，其显示能力也有限。在体内，对于当今可用的临床系统而言存在问题。
