Application Research of mDIXON-Quant Quantitative T2* Values and FF Values in Cervical Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Objective To investigate the clinical value of modified water-lipid separation technique (mDIXON-Quant) T2* values and fat fraction (FF) values in evaluating the degree of cervical intervertebral disc degeneration.

Methods A total of 118 patients who underwent routine MRI in cervical vertebra and the examination of mDixon-Quant in Fuyang People's Hospital from March 2019 to January 2024 were collected. The T2* values of C2/3 to C6/7 intervertebral discs and FF values of the upper and lower vertebral bodies were measured,and the cervical intervertebral disc degeneration was graded according to the Pfirrmann criteria. The T2* values and FF values of different patients were compared with the Pfirrmann grade,and the correlation between T2* values,FF values and Pfirrmann grade was analyzed by Spearman correlation.

Results The T2* values of cervical intervertebral discs in grades Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ and Ⅴ all showed a decreasing trend (P＜0.05). The decreasing order of FF values in the upper cervical vertebra was IV,V,IIⅠ,Ⅱ,and Ⅰ (F=93.28, P＜0.05), and the decreasing order of FF values in the lower cervical vertebra was Ⅳ,Ⅲ,Ⅴ,Ⅱ,and Ⅰ (F=112.037, P＜0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that the T2* values of cervical intervertebral disc were negatively correlated with the Pfirrmann grade (P＜0.05), and the FF values of the upper and lower vertebrae were positively correlated with the Pfirrmann grade (P＜0.05).

Conclusion The mDIXON-Quant technique can be used to quantify the T2* values and FF values of cervical intervertebral disc degeneration,and plays an important role in clinical accurate diagnosis and evaluation of treatment effect.