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Abstract #1223

Mr Diffusion Is Sensitive To Mechanical Loading In Human Intervertebral Disks

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

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

Human disks were MR imaged using T2map and MR diffusivity protocols under two load conditions and the disks dynamic and viscoelastic response quantified. Loading yielded significantly lower Mean Diffusivity and higher variance. No such changes were observed for T2map. Tissue based differences (Nucleus vs. Annulus) were observed for both measures, but only diffusivity detected the application of loading. MD correlated with the disks dynamic and viscoelastic response with T2 relaxation correlated with its dynamic and long-term viscoelastic response. The strong correlations between MD and disk mechanics suggest that MR might permit quantitative assessment of disk functional status and structural integrity.

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