The Modic Vertebral Endplate and Marrow Changes: Pathologic Significance and Relation to Low Back Pain and Segmental Instability of the Lumbar Spine

• Published in: American journal of neuroradiology : AJNR Vol. 29; no. 5; pp. 838 - 842
• Main Authors: Rahme, R, Moussa, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oak Brook, IL Am Soc Neuroradiology 01.05.2008; American Society of Neuroradiology
• Subjects: Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Bone Marrow Diseases - complications; Bone Marrow Diseases - diagnosis; Bone marrow, stem cells transplantation. Graft versus host reaction; Intervertebral Disc Displacement - complications; Intervertebral Disc Displacement - diagnosis; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Joint Instability - diagnosis; Joint Instability - etiology; Low Back Pain - diagnosis; Low Back Pain - etiology; Lumbar Vertebrae - pathology; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Medical sciences; Nervous system; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Review; Spinal Cord Compression - diagnosis; Spinal Cord Compression - etiology; Spine - pathology; Transfusions. Complications. Transfusion reactions. Cell and gene therapy; Nervous system diseases; Pain; Lumbar spine; Radiodiagnosis; Segmental; Low back pain; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Rachialgia; Instability; Spine disease
• ISSN: 0195-6108; 1936-959X
• DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.A0925

Two decades following their description, the significance of Modic vertebral endplate and marrow changes remains a matter of debate. These changes are closely related to the normal degenerative process affecting the lumbar spine, and their prevalence increases with age. However, the exact pathogenesis underlying these changes and their relation to segmental instability of the lumbar spine and to low back pain remain unclear. In this paper, we review the literature relevant to this topic and discuss the currently available evidence regarding the pathologic and clinical significance of Modic changes.