Three-dimensional characterization of in vivo intervertebral disc degeneration using EPIC-μCT

T Maerz; M D Newton; K Kristof; O Motovylyak; J S Fischgrund; D K Park; K C Baker

doi:10.1016/j.joca.2014.08.006

Three-dimensional characterization of in vivo intervertebral disc degeneration using EPIC-μCT

Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2014 Nov;22(11):1918-25. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2014.08.006. Epub 2014 Aug 20.

Authors

T Maerz¹, M D Newton², K Kristof³, O Motovylyak², J S Fischgrund⁴, D K Park⁴, K C Baker⁵

Affiliations

¹ Orthopaedic Research Laboratories, Beaumont Health System, 3811 W Thirteen Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA; Department of Surgery, Oakland University - William Beaumont Oakland University School of Medicine, Rochester, MI, USA.
² Orthopaedic Research Laboratories, Beaumont Health System, 3811 W Thirteen Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA.
³ Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Beaumont Health System, Royal Oak, MI, USA.
⁴ Department of Surgery, Oakland University - William Beaumont Oakland University School of Medicine, Rochester, MI, USA; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Beaumont Health System, Royal Oak, MI, USA.
⁵ Orthopaedic Research Laboratories, Beaumont Health System, 3811 W Thirteen Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA; Department of Surgery, Oakland University - William Beaumont Oakland University School of Medicine, Rochester, MI, USA. Electronic address: kevin.baker@beaumont.edu.

PMID: 25151083
DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2014.08.006

Abstract

Objective: Small animal models are commonly employed to study progression of and potential treatment techniques for degenerative disc disease (DDD), but assessment using conventional imaging techniques is challenging due to resolution. The objective of this study was to employ equilibrium partitioning of an ionic contrast agent micro computed tomography (EPIC - μCT) to map three-dimensional (3D) degenerative changes in the rabbit intervertebral disc (IVD).

Materials and methods: In vivo degeneration was induced surgically in 12 New Zealand White rabbits via percutaneous annular puncture and percutaneous nucleotomy. IVDs were harvested after 3 and 6 weeks. EPIC-μCT imaging was performed on fresh, IVDs before and after formalin fixation, and 3D IVD volumes were segmented. IVDs were histologically stained with Safranin-O/Fast-Green and Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E). EPIC-μCT attenuation and 3D morphological measurements were assessed in healthy and degenerate IVDs and compared to qualitative grading and disc height measurement from histology.

Results: EPIC-μCT caused pronounced contrast enhancement of the IVD. Annular puncture and nucleotomy produced mild and severe degenerative changes, respectively. IVD attenuation following contrast enhancement increased significantly in nucleotomized discs at 3 and 6 weeks. IVD attenuation correlated significantly with histologic score and disc height measurements. Disc height decreased most extensively in the posterior and lateral aspects of the IVD. 3D morphological measurements correlated strongly to IVD attenuation and were more sensitive to degenerative changes than histologic measurements. Formalin fixation reduced the attenuation of IVDs by ∼10%.

Conclusion: EPIC-μCT is sensitive to in vivo DDD induced by nucleotomy and provides a high resolution 3D method for mapping degenerative changes in rabbit IVDs.

Keywords: Contrast enhanced microcomputed tomography; Degenerative disc disease; EPIC-μCT; Intervertebral disc.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Disease Models, Animal
Female
Imaging, Three-Dimensional*
Intervertebral Disc / diagnostic imaging*
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / diagnostic imaging*
Rabbits
Reproducibility of Results
X-Ray Microtomography / methods*