Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2012, Vol. 16 ›› Issue (52): 9737-9743.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2012.52.010

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Magnetic resonance imaging of lumbar intervertebral discs degeneration：Analysis of the imaging manifestations related to Modic changes

Liu Zhen-zhen1, Chen Jian-yu1, Zhong Jing-lian1, Jiang Xin-hua2, Cai Zhao-xi1, Zhang Ya1, Yang Ze-hong1, Lei Li-chang1   

  1. 1Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong Province, China
    2Department of Medical Imaging & Interventional Radiology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, Guangdong Province, China
  • Received:2012-05-04 Revised:2012-06-15 Online:2012-12-23 Published:2012-12-23
  • Contact: Chen Jian-yu, Master, Professor, Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong Province, China chenjianyu5562@163.com
  • About author:Liu Zhen-zhen★ Studying for master’s degree, Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong Province, China zhenzhen1017@yeah.net

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Part of the discogenic low back pain patients’ MRI shows Modic changes, but the relevant factors of Modic changes and the causal relationship between Modic changes and disc degeneration remain unclear.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the distribution of the Modic changes of lumbar intervertebral discs in patients (gender and age) suffering low back pain and to explore the correlated factors of the Modic changes.
METHODS: 634 patients (2 536 lumbar intervertebral discs) suffering low back pain were examined by Magnetic resonance imaging scan. The distribution character of the Modic changes of lumbar intervertebral discs among different ages and between different genders were analyzed, and the correlation between Modic changes and lumbar intervertebral disc herniation, Schmorl nodes, lumbar instability, lumbar segments, and the degeneration degree of lumbar intervertebral discs were analyzed, too.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Among 634 patients, the occurrence rate of Modic Ⅱ and Modic Ⅲ in female was higher than that in male, but the occurrence rate of Modic I in female was lower than that in the male (P < 0.001). The occurrence rates of Modic Ⅰ-Ⅲ among people over 40 years were higher than that in people aged under 40 years (P < 0.001). Among 2 536 lumbar discs, the occurrence rates of Modic Ⅰ-Ⅲ among people who have lumbar instability or Schmorl nodes or lumbar intervertebral disc herniation were all higher than those in the people who do not have the performance (P < 0.001). The occurrence rates of ModicⅠ-Ⅲ in the segment L4/5 and L5/S1 (the lower level) were higher than those in the segment L2/3 and L3/4 (the higher level) (P < 0.001). The more serious the lumbar discs degeneration changes are, the higher the occurrence rates of Modic Ⅰ-Ⅲ will be (P < 0.001). There were markedly correlation among the degeneration degrees of lumbar intervertebral discs, Schmorl nodes and Modic changes. There are correlations between Modic changes and patients’ age, patients’ gender, lumbar intervertebral disc herniation, Schmorl nodes, lumbar intervertebral instability, lumbar segments, and the degeneration degree of lumbar intervertebral discs. The degeneration degrees of lumbar intervertebral discs and Schmorl nodes have highly correlation with Modic changes, and the degeneration degree of lumbar intervertebral discs has a higher correlation with Modic changes than Schmorl nodes.

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