A three-year follow-up of lumbar spine endplate (Modic) changes.
METHODS
A longitudinal follow-up of Modic changes on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).


OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence and natural course Modic changes over a 3-year follow-up period.


BACKGROUND
Modic changes are bone marrow and endplate lesions visible on MRI. To the authors' knowledge, no follow-up studies on their natural course have been published.


METHODS
The study population consisted of 60 unoperated sciatica patients 23 to 76 years of age. Baseline and 3-year lumbar MR images from L1-L2 through L5-S1 were analyzed independently by 2 radiologists and a consensus reading was performed.


RESULTS
At baseline, the prevalence of Modic changes was 23%. Seven discs had mixed Type I/II, and 63 Type II change. Changes typically occurred at L4-L5 and L5-S1, and associated positively with age (P = 0.009). Ten of 70 discs (14%) with Modic changes at baseline displayed another type at 3 years. Furthermore, the nonconverted changes increased significantly in size. The incidence of new Modic changes during the follow-up was 6% (13 of 230).


CONCLUSIONS
Modic changes are common MRI findings in patients with degenerative lumbar disc disease. We found evidence that Modic Type II changes may be less stable than previously assumed.
Kuisma
Mari
M
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland. mari.kuisma@fimnet.fi
Karppinen
Jaro
J
Niinimäki
Jaakko
J
Kurunlahti
Mauno
M
Haapea
Marianne
M
Vanharanta
Heikki
H
Tervonen
Osmo
O
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012585:Sciatica / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*