TY - JOUR
T1 - Assessing Intervertebral Disk Tissue Mechanics Using Dual-Actuator Multifrequency Magnetic Resonance Elastography
T2 - Case Reports
AU - Castelein, Johannes
AU - Jensen, Tue Secher
AU - Borra, Ronald
AU - Kettless, Karen
AU - Brix, Lau
AU - Kawchuk, Greg
N1 - Copyright © 2025 Johannes Castelein et al. Case Reports in Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
PY - 2025
Y1 - 2025
N2 - Background: Degenerative disk disease (DDD) is a progressive condition that occurs when the intervertebral discs (IVDs), which act as shock absorbers between the vertebrae, degenerate or wear out. Due to this degeneration process, the mechanical properties of the IVD, providing flexibility between adjacent vertebrae, can change. Thus, assessing these mechanical properties may improve diagnosis and treatment guidance for DDD. In this article, we tested in vivo multifrequency magnetic resonance elastography (MMRE) of the human IVD in identifying progressively DDD in three asymptomatic male volunteers aged 32, 50, and 60 years. Methods: MMRE of the lumbar spine was acquired using a dual-actuator setup and operated at four frequencies from 60 to 90 Hz. MMRE data were postprocessed using multifrequency wave-number recovery (k-MDEV) inversion algorithm. The resulting shear wave speed (SWS) values were used as a surrogate parameter of tissue stiffness and then compared to Pfirrmann grading (Pf) of disc degeneration (1-5) performed by an experienced MRI spine researcher. Results: Morphological Pf demonstrated an inverse relationship between increasing IVD stiffness and progressive IVD degeneration by a Spearman's rank correlation coefficient of ρ = -0.792, p < 0.001. Conclusion: MMRE allows measurement of in vivo mechanical properties of IVDs and may provide additional information in disc degeneration beyond standard morphological changes. Prior to the clinical use of this technique, future studies should be conducted to evaluate the reproducibility and repeatability of spinal MMRE in the spine, and particularly its potential confounders.
AB - Background: Degenerative disk disease (DDD) is a progressive condition that occurs when the intervertebral discs (IVDs), which act as shock absorbers between the vertebrae, degenerate or wear out. Due to this degeneration process, the mechanical properties of the IVD, providing flexibility between adjacent vertebrae, can change. Thus, assessing these mechanical properties may improve diagnosis and treatment guidance for DDD. In this article, we tested in vivo multifrequency magnetic resonance elastography (MMRE) of the human IVD in identifying progressively DDD in three asymptomatic male volunteers aged 32, 50, and 60 years. Methods: MMRE of the lumbar spine was acquired using a dual-actuator setup and operated at four frequencies from 60 to 90 Hz. MMRE data were postprocessed using multifrequency wave-number recovery (k-MDEV) inversion algorithm. The resulting shear wave speed (SWS) values were used as a surrogate parameter of tissue stiffness and then compared to Pfirrmann grading (Pf) of disc degeneration (1-5) performed by an experienced MRI spine researcher. Results: Morphological Pf demonstrated an inverse relationship between increasing IVD stiffness and progressive IVD degeneration by a Spearman's rank correlation coefficient of ρ = -0.792, p < 0.001. Conclusion: MMRE allows measurement of in vivo mechanical properties of IVDs and may provide additional information in disc degeneration beyond standard morphological changes. Prior to the clinical use of this technique, future studies should be conducted to evaluate the reproducibility and repeatability of spinal MMRE in the spine, and particularly its potential confounders.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105002457498&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1155/carm/5383659
DO - 10.1155/carm/5383659
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 40260190
SN - 1687-9627
VL - 2025
SP - 5383659
JO - Case reports in medicine
JF - Case reports in medicine
IS - 1
M1 - 5383659
ER -