An experimental model to study contrast enhancement in MR imaging of the intervertebral disk

• Published in: American journal of neuroradiology : AJNR Vol. 10; no. 4; pp. 811 - 814
• Main Authors: Nguyen, CM, Ho, KC, Yu, SW, Haughton, VM, Strandt, JA
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oak Brook, IL Am Soc Neuroradiology 01.07.1989; American Society of Neuroradiology
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Contrast Media - administration & dosage; Dogs; Gadolinium - administration & dosage; Gadolinium DTPA; Injections, Intravenous; Injuries of the limb. Injuries of the spine; Intervertebral Disc - injuries; Intervertebral Disc - pathology; Lumbar Vertebrae; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Medical sciences; Organometallic Compounds - administration & dosage; Pentetic Acid - administration & dosage; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S; Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents; Fissipedia; Carnivora; Correlation; Disease of the spine; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; Trauma; Pathology; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Animal; Dog; Intervertebral disk
• ISSN: 0195-6108; 1936-959X

MR imaging after IV gadolinium-DTPA administration has demonstrated contrast enhancement in traumatized lumbar intervertebral disks. To characterize the morbid anatomy that correlates with the contrast enhancement, we developed a canine model of traumatized intervertebral disks. Diskectomy was performed with a nucleotome and the spines were imaged biweekly with MR and Gd-DTPA. The spines were studied at necropsy, and their anatomic abnormalities correlated with contrast enhancement detected by MR imaging. Our preliminary results indicate that contrast enhancement occurs where granulation tissue develops in traumatized intervertebral disks.