Abstract: The paper explored the value of DCE-MRI parameters and IFIT1 gene in evaluating the degree of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) in patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation (LDH). 66 patients with LDH diagnosed were randomly selected as the research objects, and the patients were divided into 2 groups according to the modified Pfirrmann classification method:mild to moderate IDD (grade Ⅰ-Ⅲ) group (46 cases) and severe IDD (grade Ⅳ-Ⅴ) group (20 cases). The K-trans value of the patient was examined by DCE-MRI, the Japanese Orthopedic Association Score (JOA) was used to assess lumbar function, the visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess waist pain, and RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of IFIT1 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The K-trans value of the mild to moderate IDD group was significantly lower than that of the severe IDD group. The relative expression of IFIT1 mRNA in PBMC of patients with mild to moderate IDD group was significantly lower than that of severe IDD group. K-trans value was positively correlated with IFIT1 mRNA level in PBMC and VAS score, and negatively correlated with JOA score (P<0.05). The IFIT1 mRNA level in PBMC was positively correlated with the VAS score, and negatively correlated with the JOA score (P<0.05). The AUC value, sensitivity and specificity of the combined diagnosis of severe IDD with K-trans value and IFIT1 mRNA level in PBMC were 0.991, 91.3% and 100.0%, respectively, and the AUC value and specificity were higher than those of single diagnosis. The K-trans value in DCE-MRI combined with the IFIT1 mRNA level in PBMC can be used to diagnose the degree of IDD in LDH patients.

Key words: dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(DCE-MRI) parameters, IFIT1 gene, lumbar disc herniation, intervertebral disc degeneration, JOA score, VAS score