Tractography of Human Intervertebral Disc Using High Resolution Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Motivation: Evaluation of the fiber microstructure is valuable for assessing IVD degeneration. Goal(s): To investigate the three-dimensional fiber structure and orientation of the intact IVD. Approach: A high resolution DTI protocol was used to reconstruct the 3D fiber structure of an IVD specimen at the microstructural level on a 3T MRI scanner. Results: The concentric lamella structure and interlamellar fibers were observed in the AF. The AF fiber orientations exhibited circumferential variability around the AF ring. The nucleus pulposus fibers exhibited a tri-directional distribution with perpendicular orientations. The major fibers in the cartilaginous endplate were horizontally orientated in the anterior-posterior direction. Impact: The primary fiber orientations within human IVD tissues, including those of the annulus fibrosus, nucleus pulposus, and cartilaginous endplate, were observed using high resolution DTT, which may be a promising tool for IVD degeneration and regeneration study.