Disc degeneration - A human cadaveric study correlating magnetic resonanceimaging and quantitative discomanometry

Study Design. This human cadaveric study evaluated disc degeneration of the lumbar spine using magnetic resonance imaging and quantitative discomanome try. Objective. To determine if a correlation exists between magnetic resonance imaging and quantitative discomanometry in determining disc degeneration of the lumbar spine. Summary of Background Data. Several studies analyzing disc degeneration of the lumbar spine have compared magnetic resonance imaging with discography and dis-comanometry. The reported results are conflicting. No studies exist that compare magnetic resonance imaging and quantitative discomanometry in assessing the disc degeneration of the lumbar spine, Methods. Three fresh human cadaveric thoracolumbar spine specimens (two T11 -S1 and one L1-S1) that included a total of 19 discs were used. Spines were scanned with magnetic resonance imaging, and the scans were read by a neur oradiologist. Using the quantitative discomanometry technique, discs were i njected with normal saline, and pressure-volume curves were collected and q uantified with six parameters: intrinsic pressure, leakage pressure, initia l slope, slope from 0.0 to 0.1 mt, maximum pressure,and volume at maximum p ressure. Data analysis was performed using Spearman's Rank Correlation (Rho ) statistic. Results; Based on the results from 19 discs, an overall good correlation be tween magnetic resonance imaging scores and the six quantitative discomanom etry parameters was demonstrated. With exception of the volume at maximum p ressure, correlation coefficients ranged between 0.61 to 0.78 with a P < 0. 05, Conclusions. Magnetic resonance imaging scores and quantitative discomanome try parameters correlated well in the assessment of disc degeneration of th e lumbar spine. Quantitative discomanometry may be an important technique f or evaluating early disc degeneration, especially tears of the anular fiber s, which may be missed on magnetic resonance imaging.