title: Recurrence of type I Modic inflammatory changes in the lumbar spine: effectiveness of intradiscal therapy.
abstract: Here we report a case of recurrence of Modic type I inflammatory changes in the lumbar spine. A 49-year-old man was referred to our department with a history of chronic low back pain of at least 20 years. At the first consultation, he complained of low back pain only and had no other symptoms such as leg pain, numbness, or weakness. Although his pain was typically mild, he experienced one or two episodes of severe and incapacitating low back pain a year. After two intradiscal steroid injections, his pain disappeared immediately and completely. After 6 months of conservative treatment, Modic type I change switched to Modic type II change. However, 12 months after the first treatment, he once again experienced severe low back pain. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indicated recurrence of Modic type I change that was stronger than the first occurrence. Two intradiscal injections relieved the pain. Six months after the second episode, follow-up MRI showed another switch of Modic type I change to Modic type II change. Switches of Modic change have been controversial, with mixed findings on pain, natural history, and degenerative changes. The present case reinforces the notion that Modic type I change corresponds to reversible local inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, University of Tokushima, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, 770-8503, Tokushima, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuaki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mineta
authors.forename: Kosaku
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Higashino
authors.forename: Toshinori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fukui
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sairyo
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015299:Discitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects; D012008:Recurrence; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents