MR imaging of degenerative disc disease

Nadja A Farshad-Amacker; Mazda Farshad; Anna Winklehner; Gustav Andreisek

doi:10.1016/j.ejrad.2015.04.002

MR imaging of degenerative disc disease

Eur J Radiol. 2015 Sep;84(9):1768-76. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2015.04.002. Epub 2015 Apr 18.

Authors

Nadja A Farshad-Amacker¹, Mazda Farshad², Anna Winklehner³, Gustav Andreisek³

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: nadja.farshad@usz.ch.
² Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
³ Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

PMID: 26094867
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2015.04.002

Abstract

Magnet resonance imaging (MRI) is the most commonly used imaging modality for diagnosis of degenerative disc disease (DDD). Lack of precise observations and documentation of aspects within the complex entity of DDD might partially be the cause of poor correlation of radiographic findings to clinical symptoms. This literature review summarizes the current knowledge on MRI in DDD and outlines the diagnostic limitations. The review further sensitizes the reader toward awareness of potentially untended aspects of DDD and the interaction of DDD and endplate changes. A summary of the available classifications for DDD is provided.

Keywords: DDD; Degeneration; Disc; Intervertebral disc; MRI; Magnet resonance imaging; Spine.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Humans
Intervertebral Disc / pathology*
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / diagnosis*
Lumbar Vertebrae / pathology
Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*