Magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy of the intervertebral disc.

Intervertebral disc disease is an emerging health concern and has a considerable negative effect on the economy and on society. MRI has a critical role in assessing the disc, but it is still a challenge to objectively correlate disc health and pain with images. In this paper, a review of MR disc imaging techniques including grading, relaxation time measurements, diffusion, and contrast perfusion is presented. In addition, high-resolution magic-angle spinning methods to correlate in vitro disc degeneration (with pain, etc) are discussed. With the potential for gaining morphological and biochemical information, MRI shows promise for quantitative assessment of disc health. Copyright 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.