Value of analysing T2 signal intensity in identifying the nucleus pulposus degeneration of lumbar discs

Abstract

Objective To investigate the relation between T2 signal intensity in nucleus pulposus of lumbar discs with patient age,gender and stage of nucleus pulposus degeneration.Methods Lumbar imaging findings of 422 cases subjects were retrospectively reviewed through T2 signal intensity of nucleus pulposus evaluated based on the signal intensity of MR T2 - weighted mid - sagittal images of the lumbar spine,The T2 signal intensity at all five lumbar levels ( from L5 - S1 to L1 - L2 ) between male and female was used independent sample t -test and the Spearman correlation analysis.The age and grade of nucleus pulposus of disc degeneration and T2 signal intensity were estimated by calculating and Chi - square test and the Spearman correlation analysis ; The t - test was used to correlate the different anatomic levels of disc degeneration; T2 signal intensity among the five different anatomic levels using non -parametric correlation analysis.Results There were significant differences in T2 signal intensity of nucleus pulposus at the same grade and anatomic level between male and female.Advanced with age,T2 signal intensity of nucleus pulposus will decrease and stage of disc degeneration increasing accordingly.T2 signal intensity may represent the nucleus pulposus degeneration of interverterbral disc.L4 - L5 was the highest incidence among the nucleus pulposus degeneration of intervertebral disc.Conclusions T2 signal intensity of nucleus pulposus of lumbar interverterbral disc is correlated with grade of degeneration and patient age.The T2 signal intensity based approach may be a feasible and practical tool to determine nucleus pulposus degeneration. Key words: Nucleus pulposus degeneration ; Magnetic resonance imaging; T2 WI