title: Modic changes in the cervical spine: prospective 10-year follow-up study in asymptomatic subjects.
abstract: We conducted a prospective follow-up MRI study of originally asymptomatic healthy subjects to clarify the development of Modic changes in the cervical spine over a ten-year period and to identify related factors. Previously, 497 asymptomatic healthy volunteers with no history of cervical trauma or surgery underwent MRI. Of these, 223 underwent a second MRI at a mean follow-up of 11.6 years (10 to 12.7). These 223 subjects comprised 133 men and 100 women with a mean age at second MRI of 50.5 years (23 to 83). Modic changes were classified as not present and types 1 to 3. Changes in Modic types over time and relationships between Modic changes and progression of degeneration of the disc or clinical symptoms were evaluated. A total of 31 subjects (13.9%) showed Modic changes at follow-up: type 1 in nine, type 2 in 18, type 3 in two, and types 1 and 2 in two. Modic changes at follow-up were significantly associated with numbness or pain in the arm, but not with neck pain or shoulder stiffness. Age (≥ 40 years), gender (male), and pre-existing disc degeneration were significantly associated with newly developed Modic changes. In the cervical spine over a ten-year period, type 2 Modic changes developed most frequently. Newly developed Modic changes were significantly associated with age, gender, and pre-existing disc degeneration.
authors.affiliation: Keio University, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shinanomachi 35, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan. morio@a5.keio.jp
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ichihara
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chiba
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Toyama
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fujiwara
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Momoshima
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nishiwaki
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takahata
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001132:Arm / Q000294:innervation; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006987:Hypesthesia / Q000209:etiology; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000150:complications; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult