Assessment of Human Disc Degeneration and Proteoglycan Content Using T1ρ-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

Results from this study suggest that T1rho may provide a tool for the diagnosis of early degenerative changes in the disc. T1rho-weighted MRI is a noninvasive technique that may provide higher dynamic range than T2 and does not require a high static field or exogenous contrast agents.