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Abstract #1248

Feasibility of Detecting Spinal Instability in a Goat Spine Segment Using MR Elastography

Ephraim I Ben-Abraham 1 , Jun Chen, Ph.D. 1 , and Richard L Ehman, M.D. 1

1 Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States

Low back pain (LBP) is a very costly and prevalent health disorder in the U.S. Spinal instability and degenerative disc disease are two of the most common causes of LBP. It is known that the stiffness of the disc changes substantially with degeneration. MRE has been demonstrated for estimating the shear stiffness of the nucleus in the intervertebral disc in vitro. In this study, we attempt to measure spinal instability in an in vitro goat spine segment with induced disc degeneration and mechanical destabilization. Our results suggest MRE may be capable of detecting spinal instability.

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