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Abstract #3329

Sensitivity of T1ρ MRI and Pfirrmann Grade to Discogenic Pain

Matthew Fenty1, Catherine DeBrosse2, Rachelle Crescenzi2, Dawn Squillante3, Philip M. Maurer3, Dawn M. Elliott4, Ari Borthakur1

1CMROI, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States; 2Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States; 33B Orthopaedics, Philadelphia, PA, United States; 4Department of Bioengineering, University of Delaware, Wilmington, DE, United States

In a retrospective study, we determined the sensitivity of the T1ρ relaxation time (pre-surgery) and T2 MRI-based Pfirrmann grading in predicting painful discs in patients. ROC analyses determined area-under-curves of 91% and 84% for T1ρ and Pfirrmann grading, respectively, as predictor of which discs were painful (based on discographic measurements) and subsequently underwent fusion surgery. The long-term objective of this study is to evaluate quantitative and non-invasive biomarkers of disc degeneration in order to help identify discs candidates for surgery as well as measure outcomes following therapeutic interventions.

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Keywords

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