UTE MRI of Discovertebral Junction in Chronic Low Back Pain Subjects

Motivation: Despite crucial roles in normal function of the lumbar spine, discovertebral junction (DVJ) is seldom evaluated during MRI. Goal(s): Using ultrashort echo time (UTE) MRI, evaluate DVJ in subjects with chronic low back pain and asymptomatic controls. Approach: Disc degeneration was assessed using Pfirrmann grading on the conventional spin echo T2, while DVJ morphology was assess using UTE MRI. Effect of low back pain on disc degeneration and abnormal DVJ morphology was assessed. Results: UTE MRI of the DVJ was feasible in vivo. In the symptomatic group, statistically greater prevalence of disc degeneration and abnormal DVJ morphology were found, suggesting a possible pain-correlation. Impact: This study advances MR imaging of the lumbar spine, suggesting that DVJ may be implicated in low back pain and the need for wider assessment of DVJ in routine lumbar MRI.