Feasibility study for evaluating lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration using histogram analysis of T2* values.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of histogram analysis of T2* value for the detection and grading of degenerative lumbar intervertebral discs (IVDs) and for the characterization of microstructural heterogeneity of discs.

Methods: Two hundred fourteen lumbar IVDs of 44 subjects with chronic low back pain were examined using sagittal T2WI and axial T2* mapping. All IVDs were classified according to the Pfirrmann grade on T2WI.

The Diagnostic Value of MR IVIM and T2 Mapping in Differentiating Autoimmune Myositis From Muscular Dystrophy.

Rationale And Objectives: To confirm the feasibility and compare the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) and T2 mapping models for the differentiation of autoimmune myositis from muscular dystrophy.

Materials And Methods: Fourty-two autoimmune myositis and 11 muscular dystrophy patients proven by diagnostic criteria were enrolled in the study. Conventional MR sequences, IVIM, and T2 mapping through the bilateral thighs were obtained as well as blood samples for all patients.

Recognition of sacroiliac joint structural lesions: Comparison of volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) sequences with different slice thicknesses to T1-weighted turbo-echo.

Purpose: To compare volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) with different slice thicknesses to T1-weighted turbo-echo (T1 TSE) for identification of sacroiliac joint structural lesions in patients suspected of spondyloarthritis (SpA) using CT as the gold standard.

Methods: 192 sacroiliac joints (including VIBE with both 1.2 mm and 3 mm slice thickness, T1 TSE) from 96 patients suspected of SpA were included.