Harvey Edward Smith1, Sukhoon Oh2, D Greg Anderson1, Patti A. Miller2, Yejia Zhang3, Lindsi DeArment2, Neal Fitzpatrick2, Joseph Hong1, Todd J. Albert1, Alexander R. Vaccaro1, Alan S. Hilibrand1, Christopher M. Collins2
1Orthopaedic Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; 2Radiology, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA; 3Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
T2-weighted images and T2 maps of intervertebral disks are investigated for use as biomarkers in a rabbit model of disk damage and degeneration. T2 proves to be an effective indicator of damage/degeneration of intervertebral disks. Ongoing work includes the use of T2 to evaluate recovery/regeneration in treatment with various agents, including rabbit articular chondrocytes and human umbilical stem cells.
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