Feasibility of T2 Mapping and Magnetic Transfer Ratio for Diagnosis of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration at the Cervicothoracic Junction: A Pilot Study

Figure 1

Representative images showing the series of MRI evaluations of the cervicothoracic junction and the placement of ROIs. (a) The T2-weighted MR image of the cervicothoracic junction and the ROIs were manually drawn to include the NP tissue of the discs. (b) T2 mapping image based on the T2 relaxation time value. (c) MTR image that was obtained when the magnetic pulse was applied. (d) No-MT image that was obtained without applying magnetic pulse. (e) MTR colored image according to the MTR values calculated from MT image and no-MT image.

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