Longitudinal Comparison of Enzyme- and Laser-Treated Intervertebral Disc by MRI, X-Ray, and Histological Analyses Reveals Discrepancies in the Progression of Disc Degeneration: A Rabbit Study

Figure 1

MRI images (T2-weighted midsagittal) and analysis of rabbit lumbar spines. Intervertebral discs of 1-year-old rabbits were treated according to either the enzyme technique (enzyme) or the laser procedure (laser) as described in Materials and Methods. Untreated IVDs were used as an internal control. (a) After the indicated times, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the spine was performed. Representative MRI scans are shown. Bar: 1 cm. (b) T2-weighted signal intensity was measured after the indicated times as described in Materials and Methods. as compared with day 0. Values are expressed as mean ± SEM.

(a)

(b)