title: Comparison of disc and body volumes in degenerated and nondegenerated lumbar discs: a stereological study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To carry out comparison and correlation analyses of the intervertebral disc (IVD) and vertebral body (VB) volumes in magnetic resonance (MR) images of patients with degenerated and nondegenerated lumbar discs.
  
  
  METHODS
  MR images were examined retrospectively in 93 patients. Lumbar VB and IVD volumes in T1-T2 weighted sagittal MR images were calculated via the Cavalieri method, a stereological method. Volumetric changes in degenerated and nondegenerated discs were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The percentages of degenerated IVDs were 12.9%, 12.9%, 28%, 50.5%, and 52% in discs from levels L1 to L5, respectively. There were no differences in VB volumes between the degenerated and nondegenerated groups for all lumbar vertebra levels. However, significant volumetric decreases were observed in degenerated IVDs for all lumbar vertebra levels, as compared to nondegenerated IVDs. Comparisons of VB volume and IVD volume ratios also revealed decreases, but they were significant only for levels L1 and L4.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Disc volumes were found to be decreased, although vertebral bodies were not affected in degenerated IVD groups. However, using VB and IVD volume ratios may not always yield reliable results.
authors.forename: Tuncay
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kaner
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Songur
authors.forename: Muhsin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toktaş
authors.forename: Ozan Alper
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Alkoç
authors.forename: Olcay
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Eser
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Efendioğlu
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology*; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000473:pathology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies