Category Neurological Imaging

Intervertebral disc degeneration

Key points The process of intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration consists of gradual structural and biochemical changes that may lead to pain and disability. IVD degeneration is multifaceted, mediated by biomechanical alterations, nutritional compromise, genetics, and environmental factors among others Various…

Biomechanical models to study spinal phenotypes

Key points Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration involves endplate-driven and annulus-driven phenotypes that accumulate and interact with progressive degeneration and eventual collapse of the IVD. IVD injuries result in organ-level changes that affect cellular level responses and organ level biomechanical behaviors,…

Biomechanics of the spine

Key points The spine protects the spinal cord and provides mechanical strength to the trunk while allowing for a certain amount of flexibility. The intervertebral disc has a design and structure highly optimized to fulfill its mechanical requirements, that is,…

Anatomy of the spine

Key points Intimate relationships between osseous, nervous, vascular, and soft tissue structures of the spine are critical to normal function. A thorough understanding of these relationships is essential to the comprehension of spinal pathology and its surgical management as well…

Single Voxel MR Spectroscopy in the Spinal Cord: Technical Challenges and Clinical Applications

5.1.1 Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy 5.1.1.1 Introduction In the large majority of applications MRI focuses on detecting proton signal, in particular the signal from water protons. It therefore provides information about anatomical structure and the biophysical state of tissue water. Magnetic…