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Abstract #0318

Spatial maps of DCEMRI enhancement in endplates of degenerating intervertebral discs reveal major pathologic changes

Volkan Emre Arpinar 1 , Ali Ersoz 2 , and L Tugan Muftuler 1,3

1 Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States, 2 Department of Boiphysics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Wisconsin, United States, 3 Center for Imaging Research, Medical College of Wisconsin, Wisconsin, United States

Nutrient transport to the discs through the endplate region was studied using Dynamic Contrast Enhanced MRI. Data were acquired from subjects with varying degrees of disc degeneration. Spatial maps of contrast enhancement were generated for each endplate and subchondral bone region in the lumbar area. A template for vertebral body disc surface interface was generated and enhancement maps were registered to this template for analysis across all subjects and all lumbar levels. Average enhancement maps were calculated for healthy, moderately degenerated and highly degenerated discs and the results revealed major pathologic changes in the endplate regions as the discs degenerate.

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