Correlation Between Intervertebral Disc Degeneration and Paravertebral Muscle Fat Infiltration in Chronic Low Back Pain via Quantitative MRI
10.3969/j.issn.1005-5185.2025.03.018
- VernacularTitle:基于定量MRI评估慢性下腰痛患者椎间盘退行性变与椎旁肌脂肪浸润的相关性
- Author:
Rui JIANG
1
;
Min LUO
;
Futing FENG
;
Lusi LIU
;
Meining CHEN
;
Qin ZHANG
Author Information
1. 西南医科大学附属医院放射科,四川 泸州 646000
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Low back pain;
Intervertebral disc degeneration;
Paravertebral muscle;
Magnetic resonance imaging
- From:
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging
2025;33(3):326-330
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Purpose To investigate the correlation between intervertebral disc degeneration and paraspinal muscle fatty infiltration in chronic low back pain(CLBP)using quantitative MRI techniques.Materials and Methods A total of 63 CLBP patients and 42 volunteers in Zigong Fourth People's Hospital from September 2023 to March 2024 were retrospectively collected.Magnetic resonance scans were performed using multi-echo water-fat separation technique and T2 mapping technique.Intervertebral disc degeneration was assessed using the Pfirrmann grading,while paraspinal muscle fatty infiltration was evaluated using the Goutallier grading.Proton density fat fraction(PDFF)of the multifidus and erector spinae muscles,and T2 values of the nucleus pulposus were quantitatively measured.The relationships between these parameters and their associations with age and gender were analyzed.Results Compared with healthy volunteers,CLBP patients showed significantly reduced T2 values of the nucleus pulposusand significantly increased PDFF of the paraspinal muscles(Z=-5.54-4.65,all P<0.001).The Pfirrmann grading of intervertebral discs and the Goutallier grading of paraspinal muscles were significantly correlated with the T2 value of the nucleus pulposus and the PDFF of the paraspinal muscles(|r|>0.4,P<0.05).Age and Pfirrmann grading were independent predictors of paraspinal muscle fat infiltration(β=0.228-5.682,all P<0.001),and gender was also an independent predictor at the L4/5 intervertebral disc level(β=-2.834,-3.352,both P<0.05).Conclusion Intervertebral disc degeneration and paraspinal muscle fat infiltration are closely related in CLBP,age and gender also have an impact.
