Discovertebral junction of the spine--a cadaveric study by spin-echo MR imaging.

To evaluate the MR appearance of the discovertebral junction (DVJ) of the spine, we examined 161 DVJs in 27 cadaveric spines using superconductive MR imaging. T1-, proton density-, and T2-weighted spin-echo imaging were used. With a small surface coil, higher resolution and more sharply defined contours of the DVJ were obtained than when using a head coil. Cortical bone had very low signal intensity in all sequences. Cartilaginous end-plate (CP) was of low to intermediate signal intensity on T1-weighted images, and of low signal intensity on proton density- and T2-weighted images. MR images were able to reveal the gross CP appearances, Schmorl's nodules, and adjacent bone marrow pathology. We conclude that MR imaging is valuable for assessing abnormalities of the DVJ.