Abstract
Abstract
Objective
The cartilaginous endplate (CEP) exhibits an intrinsically short
$$T_2^*$$
relaxation time, making it difficult to visualize using conventional MRI sequences. This limitation hampers early detection and quantitative evaluation of lumbar spine degeneration. This study aimed to perceive microstructural alterations of CEP at early stages of degeneration using a bi-exponential
$$T_2^*$$
model based on ultrashort echo time (UTE) sequence, and to explore the diagnostic utility of bi-exponential
$$T_2^*$$
–derived parameters and monoexponential UTE-
$$T_{2}$$
mapping values in grading CEP damage.
Methods
This study retrospectively collected 46 patients who underwent lumbar UTE MRI, of whom 43 met the inclusion criteria. CEP was graded into three groups according to morphological features on multiple MRI sequences: healthy (structurally intact), mild damage (localized thinning or concavity with preserved continuity), and moderately damage (defects
Results
$$T_{2S}$$
values showed significant differences among the groups (
p
$$\:{T}_{2L}$$
values were non-normally distributed but statistically different between the moderate and mild damage groups (
p
$$T_{2}$$
mapping values (
p
Conclusion
The UTE bi-exponential
$$T_2^*$$
model enable effective separation and quantification of distinct water components within the CEP. Both
$$\:{T}_{2L}$$
and UTE-
$$T_{2}$$
mapping show promise as imaging biomarkers for grading CEP degeneration even in the early stage of CEP degeneration.