Fig. 1

Schematic illustration of T2* value measurement methods for lumbar facet joints. (A) All-inclusive method. Region of interest was primarily delineated on first echo anatomical image (left) and copied to the corresponding T2* mapping image (right). A ROI was drawn including both the upper and lower articular process cartilage, and the joint cavity. (B) Four-area method. Two round ROIs were drawn at the front and last points of cartilage area, and the other two round ROIs were drawn at the two tertile points between the front and last points