scholarly journals Non-Specific Low Back Pain and Lumbar Radiculopathy: Comparison of Morphologic and Compositional MRI as Assessed by gagCEST Imaging at 3T

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 402
Author(s):  
Miriam Frenken ◽  
Sven Nebelung ◽  
Christoph Schleich ◽  
Anja Müller-Lutz ◽  
Karl Ludger Radke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Chemical Exchange ◽  
Clinical Pathology ◽  
Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Intervertebral Disks ◽  
Asymptomatic Volunteers

Using glycosaminoglycan Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (gagCEST) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), this study comparatively evaluated the GAG contents of lumbar intervertebral disks (IVDs) of patients with non-specific low back pain (nsLBP), radiculopathy, and asymptomatic volunteers to elucidate the association of clinical manifestation and compositional correlate. A total of 18 patients (mean age 57.5 ± 22.5 years) with radiculopathy, 16 age-matched patients with chronic nsLBP and 20 age-matched volunteers underwent standard morphologic and compositional gagCEST MRI on a 3T scanner. In all cohorts, GAG contents of lumbar IVDs were determined using gagCEST MRI. An assessment of morphologic IVD degeneration based on the Pfirrmann classification and T2-weighted sequences served as a reference. A linear mixed model adjusted for multiple confounders was used for statistical evaluation. IVDs of patients with nsLBP showed lower gagCEST values than those of volunteers (nsLBP: 1.3% [99% confidence intervals (CI): 1.0; 1.6] vs. volunteers: 1.9% [99% CI: 1.6; 2.2]). Yet, IVDs of patients with radiculopathy (1.8% [99% CI: 1.4; 2.1]) were not different from patients with nsLBP or volunteers. In patients with radiculopathy, IVDs directly adjacent to IVD extrusions demonstrated lower gagCEST values than distant IVDs (adjacent: 0.9% [99% CI: 0.3; 1.5], distant: 2.1% [99% CI: 1.7; 2.5]). Advanced GAG depletion in nsLBP and directly adjacent to IVD extrusions in radiculopathy indicates close interrelatedness of clinical pathology and compositional degeneration.

scholarly journals Functional MR imaging beyond structure and inflammation—radiographic axial spondyloarthritis is associated with proteoglycan depletion of the lumbar spine

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel B. Abrar ◽  
Christoph Schleich ◽  
Styliani Tsiami ◽  
Anja Müller-Lutz ◽  
Karl Ludger Radke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Functional Disability ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Axial Spondyloarthritis ◽  
Chemical Exchange ◽  
Fat Deposition ◽  
Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer ◽  
Imaging Features ◽  
Intervertebral Disks

Abstract Background To compare the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content of lumbar intervertebral disks (IVDs) of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and healthy volunteers and to investigate the association of GAG depletion and disease-related clinical and imaging features. Methods Lumbar spines of 50 AS patients (mean age 50 ± 10.5 years) and 30 age-matched volunteers were studied with 3-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and conventional radiographs (CR). The MRI protocol included high-resolution morphological sequences and the compositional GAG chemical exchange saturation transfer imaging technique (gagCEST). Morphological images were analyzed by three raters for inflammatory activity, fat deposition, disk degeneration, and structural changes on CR. Clinical and serological measures included the Bath AS Disease Activity (BASDAI) and Bath AS Function (BASFI) Indices and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. GagCEST values of both groups were compared using a linear mixed model. Kendall-Tau correlation analyses were performed. Results GagCEST values were significantly lower in AS patients (2.0 ± 1.7%) vs. healthy volunteers (2.4 ± 1.8%), p = 0.001. Small, yet significant correlations were found between gagCEST values and CRP levels (τ = − 0.14, p = 0.007), BASFI (τ = − 0.18, p < 0.001) and presence of syndesmophytes (τ = − 0.17, p = 0.001). No significant correlations were found with BASDAI, inflammation, and fat deposition MRI scores. Conclusions Lumbar spines of r-AS patients undergo significant GAG depletion, independently associated with syndesmophyte formation, functional disability, and increased serological inflammation markers. Beyond establishing a pathophysiological role of the cartilage in AS, these findings suggest that gagCEST imaging may have an adjunct confirmatory role in the assessment of disease-related pathological MRI findings in axial spondyloarthritis. Trial registration 3980 (https://studienregister.med.uni-duesseldorf.de)

scholarly journals Intradiscal quantitative chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI signal correlates with discogenic pain in human patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gadi Pelled ◽  
Margaux M. Salas ◽  
Pei Han ◽  
Howard E. Gill ◽  
Karl A. Lautenschlager ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Chemical Exchange ◽  
Invasive Procedure ◽  
Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Saturation Transfer ◽  
Operating Characteristics ◽  
Discogenic Pain ◽  
Quantitative Chemical

AbstractLow back pain (LBP) is often a result of a degenerative process in the intervertebral disc. The precise origin of discogenic pain is diagnosed by the invasive procedure of provocative discography (PD). Previously, we developed quantitative chemical exchange saturation transfer (qCEST) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect pH as a biomarker for discogenic pain. Based on these findings we initiated a clinical study with the goal to evaluate the correlation between qCEST values and PD results in LBP patients. Twenty five volunteers with chronic low back pain were subjected to T2-weighted (T2w) and qCEST MRI scans followed by PD. A total of 72 discs were analyzed. The average qCEST signal value of painful discs was significantly higher than non-painful discs (p = 0.012). The ratio between qCEST and normalized T2w was found to be significantly higher in painful discs compared to non-painful discs (p = 0.0022). A receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis indicated that qCEST/T2w ratio could be used to differentiate between painful and non-painful discs with 78% sensitivity and 81% specificity. The results of the study suggest that qCEST could be used for the diagnosis of discogenic pain, in conjunction with the commonly used T2w scan.

The role of body symmetry in patients with low back pain, herniated discs and asymptomatic volunteers

2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 172-173
Author(s):  
Serena Eluf ◽  
Djalma Fagundes ◽  
Ana Paula Facchinato
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Asymptomatic Volunteers ◽  
Herniated Discs

An Exploration of Pre-Professional Dancers’ Beliefs of the Low Back and Dance-Specific Low Back Movements

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 141-146
Author(s):  
Danica Hendry ◽  
Leon Straker ◽  
Amity Campbell ◽  
Luke Hopper ◽  
Rhianna Tunks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Back Pain ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Dance Movement ◽  
Lower Back ◽  
Negative Beliefs ◽  
History Of ◽  
Professional Dancers

OBJECTIVE: Low back pain (LBP) is common in dancers. A biopsychosocial model should be considered in the aetiology of LBP, including a dancer’s general beliefs of the low back and movements of the spine. This study aimed to determine pre-professional dancers’ beliefs about their lower back in general and dance-specific movements of the spine and to explore whether these beliefs were influenced by a history of disabling LBP. METHODS: 52 pre-professional female dancers (mean age 18.3 [1.4] yrs) were recruited and reported whether they had a history of disabling LBP and completed the Back Pain Attitudes Questionnaire (Back-PAQ) and a dance movement beliefs questionnaire. A linear mixed model was applied to determine the effect of a history of disabling LBP on dancers’ beliefs (p<0.05). RESULTS: 20 dancers reported a history of disabling LBP. Regardless of this LBP history, dancers held generally negative beliefs as measured by the Back-PAQ (p=0.130). A history of disabling LBP did not influence dancers’ perceived movement safety of all tasks (p=0.867), and dancers held negative beliefs towards extension activities. These beliefs were linked to the conceptions of perceived risk of damage and the need to protect the lower back. CONCLUSIONS: Dancers hold negative general beliefs around the low back and low back movements, regardless of a history of disabling LBP. Dancers perceive extension activities as more dangerous than flexion activities. These beliefs may reflect a combination of pain experience and beliefs specific to dance.

Fat Content of Lumbar Paraspinal Muscles in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain and in Asymptomatic Volunteers: Quantification with MR Spectroscopy

Radiology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 240 (3) ◽  
pp. 786-792 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard Mengiardi ◽  
Marius R. Schmid ◽  
Norbert Boos ◽  
Christian W. A. Pfirrmann ◽  
Florian Brunner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Chronic Low Back Pain ◽  
Mr Spectroscopy ◽  
Fat Content ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Paraspinal Muscles ◽  
Asymptomatic Volunteers ◽  
Lumbar Paraspinal Muscles

scholarly journals Longitudinal GluCEST MRI Changes and Cerebral Blood Flow in 5xFAD Mice

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Hironaka Igarashi ◽  
Satoshi Ueki ◽  
Hiroki Kitaura ◽  
Tae Kera ◽  
Ken Ohno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Cerebral Blood Flow ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Chemical Exchange ◽  
Temporal Cortex ◽  
Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer ◽  
Imaging Method ◽  
5Xfad Mouse ◽  
5Xfad Mice

Many of the focal neurological symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are due to synaptic loss. Glutamate chemical exchange saturation transfer (GluCEST) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a candidate method to assess synaptic dysfunction. We assessed chronological changes in GluCEST in a 5xFAD mouse model of AD, comparing Glucest effects and regional cerebral blood flow (CBF). GluCEST effects and CBF in 5xFAD mice aged 1–15 months and their littermates (WT) were measured. Neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) MRI reflecting dendritic/axonal density was also measured and compared with GluCEST in 7-month-old mice. While regional CBF’s decrease began at 7 months, GluCEST-reduction effects preceded hypoperfusion of the temporal cortex and hippocampus. While longitudinal 5xFAD mouse measurements revealed a correlation between the regional GluCEST effects and CBF, a generalized linear mixed model revealed statistically different correlations in cortical and basal brain regions. Further, NODDI-derived neurite density correlated with GluCEST effects in the parietal cortex, but not in the hippocampus, thereby revealing regional differences in pathophysiological mechanisms. Finally, GluCEST’s effects correlated with regional synaptophysin. These results demonstrate that GluCEST can reflect subtle synaptic changes and may be a potential imaging method for AD diagnosis as well as serve as a biomarker of AD progression.

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