Meeting Banner
Abstract #1238

Diffusion tensor imaging detects the spatial variation in fiber angle and lamellar number in intact human discs

Ron Noah Alkalay 1 , Dominik Meier 2 , Carl-Fredrik Westin 3 , and David B Hackney 4

1 Orthopedics, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States, 2 Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States, 3 Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States, 4 Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States

This study investigated the use of tensor diffusion imaging to directly interrogate the spatial orientation of collagen fibers in intact human disks. Four human lumbar cadaver spinal discs (L2-L3), age 48-52 years, were imaged in a 9.4 Tesla scanner. 3D (SE-EPI) diffusion tensor image data was acquired using 30 non-collinear directions. Collagen fibers orientation angle relative to the disks axial plane was computed at each voxel. DTI analysis showed clear demarcation between annulus and nucleus and the ability to count number of lamellae within the annulus. Analysis of fiber orientation showed fiber angle to increase as a function of region within the annulus.

This abstract and the presentation materials are available to members only; a login is required.

Join Here