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Abstract #1215

Characterization of an Animal Model of Spinal Instability Using MR Elastography and Mechanical Testing

Ephraim I Ben-Abraham 1 , Jun Chen 2 , and Richard L Ehman 2

1 Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States, 2 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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