Ultrashort Echo Time Magnetization Transfer Imaging of Lumbar Nerve Roots: A Study of Low Back Pain

Motivation: The quantitative magnetization transfer (MT) technique combined with ultrashort echo time (UTE) sequences (UTE-MT) has enabled valuable assessment of macromolecular changes in collagen- or myelin-rich tissues. Goal(s): The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between UTE-MT ratio (UTE-MTR) of lumbar nerve root and low back pain. Approach: We evaluated compositional changes in compressed nerve roots and their relationship with LBP in 176 LDH patients (L4/5-L5/S1) using UTE-MT and T2 measurement sequences. Results: Our results indicate that UTE-MT is a promising technique for evaluating the compositional changes of compressed nerve roots in lumbar radiculopathy and their relationship with LBP. Impact: UTE-MT is a promising technique for evaluating the compositional changes of compressed nerve roots in lumbar radiculopathy and their relationship with LBP.