Load-induced changes in the diffusion tensor of ovine anulus fibrosus: A pilot MRI study

, Kirkwood, Margaret, , , & (2017) Load-induced changes in the diffusion tensor of ovine anulus fibrosus: A pilot MRI study. Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 45(6), pp. 1723-1735.

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Purpose - To assess the feasibility of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for evaluating changes in anulus fibrosus (AF) microstructure following uniaxial compression. Materials and Methods - Six axially aligned samples of AF were obtained from a merino sheep disc; two each from the anterior, lateral, and posterior regions. The samples were mechanically loaded in axial compression during five cycles at a rate and maximum compressive strain that reflected physiological conditions. DTI was conducted at 7T for each sample before and after mechanical testing. Results - The mechanical response of all samples in unconfined compression was nonlinear. A stiffer response during the first loading cycle, compared to the remaining cycles, was observed. Change in diffusion parameters appeared to be region-dependent. The mean fractional anisotropy increased following mechanical testing. This was smallest in the lateral (2% and 9%) and largest in the anterior and posterior samples (17–25%). The mean average diffusivity remained relatively constant (<2%) after mechanical testing in the lateral and posterior samples, but increased (by 5%) in the anterior samples. The mean angle made by the principal eigenvector with the spine axis in the lateral samples was 738 and remained relatively constant (<2%) following mechanical testing. This angle was smaller in the anterior (558) and posterior (478) regions and increased by 6–168 following mechanical testing. Conclusion - These preliminary results suggest that axial compression reorients the collagen fibers, such that they become more consistently aligned parallel to the plane of the endplates.

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10 citations in Scopus
10 citations in Web of Science®
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ID Code: 102853
Item Type: Contribution to Journal (Journal Article)
Refereed: Yes
ORCID iD:
Pearcy, Markorcid.org/0000-0002-1108-6503
Momot, Konstantinorcid.org/0000-0002-5695-153X
Little, Paigeorcid.org/0000-0001-8377-5343
Measurements or Duration: 13 pages
Keywords: anulus fibrosus, biomechanics, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), intervertebral disc, uniaxial compression
DOI: 10.1002/jmri.25531
ISSN: 1522-2586
Pure ID: 33197885
Divisions: Past > Institutes > Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation
Past > QUT Faculties & Divisions > Science & Engineering Faculty
Copyright Owner: Consult author(s) regarding copyright matters
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Deposited On: 17 Jan 2017 03:10
Last Modified: 10 Feb 2025 02:27