Detection of extracellular matrix degradation in intervertebral disc degeneration by diffusion magnetic resonance spectroscopy (DW-MRS)

Abstract

This study explored the capability of Diffusion Weighted Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (DW-MRS) to detect and characterize the ECM degradation during the early stage of IVDD. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of macromolecule resonances increased by approximately ten fold immediately after papain injection, and continued to increase in the following 5 days. The macromolecule T2 also had a slight increase during the ECM degradation and the macromolecule content is corrected by their corresponding T2 value. The macromolecule content, water T2 and ADC value showed a delayed change compared to the macromolecule ADCs. The macromolecule ADC is an early marker of the microstructural breakdown of PGs and collagen network in the disc NP during IVDD and hence DW-MRS is sensitive to detect disc degeneration at an early stage.