To explore the clinical value of magnetic resonance T₂-mapping imaging in the diagnosis of early intervertebral disc degeneration in obese people.

From January 2018 to June 2019, 30 obese volunteers and 30 healthy volunteers with normal weight underwent T₂-mapping scan, while their routine MRI examination showed no abnormalities were slected.The T2 value of nucleus pulposus in both two groups were measured and compared.

The T2 values of nucleus pulposus of intervertebral disc of lumbar 1-2, lumbar 2-3, lumbar 3-4, lumbar 4-5 and lumbar 5-sacral 1 in the control group were (108.17±10.87)ms, (113.93±11.54)ms, (126.65±10.22)ms, (118.62±8.86)ms and (111.61±10.65)ms, respectively, which of nucleus pulposus in different segments was statistically significant(F=14.28, P<0.001). The T2 values of nucleus pulposus of intervertebral disc of lumbar 1-2, lumbar 2-3, lumbar 3-4, lumbar 4-5, lumbar 5-sacral 1 in the simple obesity group were (104.90±7.67)ms, (101.10±6.61)ms, (112.65±5.75)ms, (98.27±6.18)ms, (89.82±6.34)ms, respectively, , which of nucleus pulposus in different segments was statistically significant(F=49.52, P<0.001). There were statistically significant differences in the T2 values of nucleus pulposus of intervertebral disc of lumbar 2-3, lumbar 3-4, lumbar 4-5, lumbar 5-sacral 1 between the two groups(t=5.283, 6.535, 10.327, 9.626, all P<0.001).

Magnetic resonance T₂-mapping can detect early changes in tissue composition of intervertebral disc degeneration.Therefore, magnetic resonance T₂-mapping imaging technology can provide an important reference for the early diagnosis of intervertebral disc degeneration in obese people.

Magnetic resonance imaging; T₂-mapping; Quantitative detection; Intervertebral disc degeneration; Intervertebtal disk; Lumbar vertebrae; Obesity