title: Axial loading during MRI influences T2-mapping values of lumbar discs: a feasibility study on patients with low back pain.
abstract: To investigate whether axial loading of the spine during MRI (alMRI) instantaneously induces changes in biochemical disc features as reflected by altered quantitative T2 values in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP).
  
  
  
  T2 mapping was performed on 11 LBP patients (54 lumbar discs) during the conventional unloaded MRI and subsequent alMRI. Each disc was divided into five volumetric regions of interests (ROIs), anterior annulus fibrosus (AF) (ROI 1), the interface anterior AF-nucleus pulposus (NP) (ROI 2), NP (ROI 3), the interface NP-posterior AF (ROI 4), and the posterior AF (ROI 5). The mean T2 values for each ROI were compared between MRI and alMRI and correlated with degeneration grade (Pfirrmann), disc angle, and disc level.
  
  
  
  With alMRI, T2 values increased significantly in the whole disc as well as in various parts of the disc with an increase in ROI 1-3 and a decrease in ROI 5. The changes in T2 values correlated to degeneration grade, changes in disc angle, and lumbar level.
  
  
  
  alMRI instantaneously induces T2-value changes in lumbar discs and is, thus, a feasible method to reveal dynamic, biochemical disc features in patients with chronic LBP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. martin.os.nilsson@vgregion.se.|Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden. martin.os.nilsson@vgregion.se.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2089-2099
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physics and Techniques, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.|Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lagerstrand
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kasperska
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.|Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brisby
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.|Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hebelka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016474:Weight-Bearing
keywords: Axially loaded magnetic resonance imaging; Chronic low back pain; Disc degeneration; Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging; T2 mapping