Quantitative chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI of intervertebral disc in a porcine model

Zhengwei Zhou, Maxim Bez, Wafa Tawackoli, Joseph Giaconi, Dmitriy Sheyn, Sandra de Mel, Marcel M. Maya, Barry D. Pressman, Zulma Gazit, Gadi Pelled, Dan Gazit, Debiao Li*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Previous studies have associated low pH in intervertebral discs (IVDs) with discogenic back pain. The purpose of this study was to determine whether quantitative CEST (qCEST) MRI can be used to detect pH changes in IVDs in vivo. Methods: The exchange rate ksw between glycosaminoglycan (GAG) protons and water protons was determined from qCEST analysis. Its dependence on pH value was investigated in GAG phantoms with varying pH and concentrations. The relationship between ksw and pH was studied further in vivo in a porcine model on a 3T MR scanner and validated using a pH meter. Sodium lactate was injected into the IVDs to induce various pH values within the discs ranging from 5 to 7. Results: Phantom and animal results revealed that ksw measured using qCEST MRI is highly correlated with pH level. In the animal studies, the relationship can be described as ksw =9.2 × 106 × 10−pH + 196.9, R2 = 0.7883. Conclusion: The exchange rate between GAG and water protons determined from qCEST MRI is closely correlated with pH value. This technique has the potential to noninvasively measure pH in the IVDs of patients with discogenic pain. Magn Reson Med 76:1677–1683, 2016.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1677-1683
Number of pages7
JournalMagnetic Resonance in Medicine
Volume76
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Dec 2016

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine

Keywords

  • CEST
  • gagCEST
  • intervertebral disc
  • low back pain
  • pH
  • quantitative CEST

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Quantitative chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI of intervertebral disc in a porcine model'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this