退变性腰椎侧凸两侧椎间高度及关节突矢状角参数特点及其对侧凸的影响

目的:分析退变性腰椎侧凸骨性结构参数的特点及其与椎间盘-终板退变的相关性,探讨骨性结构参数对腰椎侧凸发生、发展的影响及意义。方法:选取120例原发性退变性腰椎侧凸患者的影像学资料作为病例组,同时期、同年龄段及同性别比例诊断为腰椎退变性疾病(除外腰椎侧凸)的89例患者的影像学资料作为对照组。分别测量两组患者椎体和椎间两侧高度及两侧关节突矢状角,计算椎体和两侧椎间平均高度及两侧关节突平均矢状角作为骨性结构参数。测量病例组患者的腰椎侧凸角及前凸角。采用pffirman及Modic分级评分法对各个椎间盘及邻近终板退变程度进行量化。比较两组的骨性结构参数,分析骨性结构参数与椎间盘-终板退变、腰椎侧凸角及前凸角的关系。结果:病例组凸凹侧骨性结构参数有显著性差异(P<0.05),呈不对称分布;对照组两侧骨性结构参数无显著性差异(P>0.05);两组间椎间盘-终板退变评分有显著性差异(P<0.05)。相关性分析显示,骨性结构参数不对称度与椎间盘-终板退变评分有相关性(P<0.05),与腰椎侧凸角呈正相关(0相似文献   

腰椎退变性滑脱与终板Modic改变的相关性研究

目的 :观察腰椎退变性滑脱患者腰椎终板的Modic改变情况,分析退变性滑脱与终板Modic改变之间的关系。方法:回顾性分析108例腰椎退变性滑脱症患者的MRI资料,观察腰椎滑脱节段与非滑脱节段终板Modic改变各型的发生率及分布情况,分析终板Modic改变与腰椎滑脱的相关性。结果:108例腰椎退变性滑脱患者共540个椎体中,Ⅰ度滑脱149个,Ⅱ度滑脱17个;L1椎体滑脱10个,L2椎体26个,L3椎体41个,L4椎体46个,L5椎体43个。108例腰椎退变性滑脱患者共计1080个腰椎终板,351个终板存在Modic改变,其中ModicⅠ型172个(15.93%),Ⅱ型144个(13.33%),Ⅲ型3个(0.28%),混合型32个(2.96%);L1/2节段34个(3.15%),L2/3节段61个(5.65%),L3/4节段65个(6.02%),L4/5节段77个(7.13%),L5/S1节段114个(10.56%)。腰椎滑脱节段终板的Modic改变发生率为75.30%,非滑脱节段终板的Modic改变发生率为13.50%,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。Spearman相关检验表明Modic改变和腰椎滑脱程度呈正相关(r=0.613,P0.05)。结论 :腰椎退变性滑脱患者滑脱节段终板的Modic改变多见,各型中以Ⅰ型多发,Modic改变的发生与滑脱程度呈正相关。     

腰椎退变性侧凸患者椎间盘退行性变的影像学观测

目的:评价退变性腰椎侧凸患者椎间盘退变程度与腰椎侧凸角度、腰椎前凸角度的相关性.方法:本组共包括84例退变性腰椎侧凸患者(平均年龄为64.1±5.3岁),在X线片上测量其顶椎间盘(如顶椎为椎体则取该椎体下位椎间盘)及其相邻上下椎间盘(共252个椎间盘)的不对称指数,MRI T2加权像上测量椎问盘内髓核与脑脊液的平均相对信号强度.应用Spearmann相关性分析研究椎间盘不对称指数与腰椎侧凸角的相关性、平均相对信号强度与腰椎前凸角的相关性.结果:84例退变性腰椎侧凸患者中,凸侧三个椎间盘的高度平均为40.1±1.8mm:凹侧平均为38.3±1.1mm.凸凹侧椎同盘高度比较差异有显著性(P<.05).椎间盘不对称指数的平均值为0.042±0.018,经Spearman相关分析椎间盘不对称指数与侧凸Cobb角之间有明显正相关性(P<.05);T2加权像上退变性腰椎侧凸髓核平均相对信号强度Ⅰ级8例,Ⅱ级27例,Ⅲ级32例,Ⅳ级17例;经Spearman相关分析该平均相对信号强度与腰椎前凸Cobb角之间有相关性(P<.05).结论:退变性腰椎侧凸的侧凸角与椎间盘退变的不对称性程度存在正相关,腰椎前凸角减少与椎间盘退变程度有相关性.     

腰腿痛患者Modic改变的相关因素分布情况及分析

目的 调查腰腿痛患者腰椎MRI椎间盘相邻终板Modic改变分布情况,并探讨其相关机制。方法 选择2012年7月至2013年6月因腰腿痛在我院行腰椎MRI检查的患者,排除肿瘤、感染、退变性侧凸等,入选患者1 287例。调查腰椎MRI椎间盘相邻终板Modic改变在其相关因素(包括性别、年龄、椎间盘退变程度、椎间盘节段)中的分布情况。结果 1 287例腰腿痛患者6 435个腰椎间盘中,450例(34.97%)675个椎间盘(10.49%)邻近终板发生Modic改变,其中Ⅰ型103例(8.0%)116个椎间盘(1.80%)、Ⅱ型313例(24.32%)519个椎间盘(8.01%)、Ⅲ型34例(2.64%)40个椎间盘(0.62%)。男182例(28.09%),女268例(41.94%),男女差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。40岁者5 6例(1 4.3 2%),≥4 0岁者3 9 4例(4 3.9 7%),两组差异有统计学意义(P0.0 5)。正常椎间盘8 6个(2.29%),退变椎间盘589个(21.97%),两组差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。上腰椎285个(7.38%),下腰椎390个(15.15%),两组差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 腰腿痛患者腰椎终板Modic改变女性多于男性,40岁及以上多发,与椎间盘退变程度呈正相关,下腰椎多见。     

腰椎终板、椎间盘退变及椎间盘造影疼痛激发试验的相关性研究

目的探讨下腰痛患者腰椎终板Modic退变、椎间盘退变及CT引导下腰椎间盘造影疼痛激发试验的相关性.方法对45例下腰痛患者常规行腰椎X线和MR检查,分别按Modic终板退变标准（0～3级）与Pearce椎间盘退变标准（Ⅰ～Ⅴ级）对终板和椎间盘进行评估.在CT引导下对45例患者中的40例（120个椎间盘）进行造影和疼痛激发试验,并按Dallas椎间盘造影分级系统（DDD）测评椎间盘退变程度.采用SPSS 11.5统计学软件分析腰椎终板Modic退变、椎间盘退变与腰椎间盘造影疼痛激发试验之间的相关性.结果40例下腰痛患者的腰椎终板Modic分级与椎间盘退变Pearce分级存在较强的相关性（Pearson x^2=43.326,P=0.000）,与椎间盘造影疼痛激发试验有显著相关性（Pearson x^2=27.858,P=0.000）;椎间盘退变Pearce分级与CT椎间盘造影椎间盘退变Dallas分级也呈较强的相关性.结论腰椎终板Modic退变分级与椎间盘退变Pearce分级密切相关,而与椎间盘疼痛激发试验有显著相关性,提示终板Modic退变可能是下腰痛的原因之一.     

中老年腰腿痛患者腰椎终板Modic改变的分布情况及其与腰椎不稳的关系

目的:探讨中老年腰腿痛患者腰椎终板Modic改变的分布情况,分析其与腰椎不稳之间的关系。方法:随机选取2007年3月~2011年12月因腰腿痛在我院行腰椎MRI和常规X线片检查的年龄≥40岁的患者430例,男210例,女220例,年龄40~73岁。观察患者腰椎终板Modic改变的发生率、类型及分布特点;根据腰椎是否稳定分为腰椎稳定组和腰椎不稳定组,分析其与Modic改变之间的关系;腰椎稳定组患者分为腰椎曲度正常组和异常组,分析其与Modic改变之间的关系。结果:430例共计2150个腰椎椎间盘中,124例(28.84%)154个(7.16%)椎间盘终板存在Modic改变,其中Ⅰ型34例(7.91%)、34个椎间盘(1.58%),Ⅱ型72例(16.74%)、100个椎间盘(4.65%),Ⅲ型18例(4.19%)、20个椎间盘(0.93%);L2/3 14个,L3/4 24个,L4/5 50个,L5/S1 66个,其发生率分别为0.65%、1.12%、2.32%、3.07%;其中Modic改变位于终板前部79个,后部31个,整个终板44个;仅累及上终板52个,仅累及下终板41个,累及上、下终板61个。腰椎不稳定组终板Modic改变的发生率为36.68%,腰椎稳定组为19.90%,两组差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);ModicⅠ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ型中腰椎不稳的发生率分别为82.35%、69.44%、33.33%,三者差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);腰椎曲度正常组终板Modic改变的发生率为11.11%,腰椎曲度异常组为23.91%,两组差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:中老年腰腿痛患者腰椎终板Modic改变以Ⅱ型最多见,以L4/5和L5/S1节段多发;其与腰椎不稳和腰椎曲度之间存在相关关系,ModicⅠ型改变与腰椎不稳相关性最强。     

腰椎终板Modic改变与腰椎退变的相关性研究

目的总结腰椎终板Modic改变的临床分布特点,探讨Modic改变的发生与腰椎退行性变的相关性。方法对腰腿痛就诊的348例患者根据Modic分级标准对患者腰椎矢状位MRI资料进行评估,记录有无Modic改变、腰椎管狭窄、腰椎滑脱、椎间盘退变,并通过X线测定椎间隙高度。使用SPSS 18.0统计学软件对数据进行处理,探讨Modic改变的发生与性别、年龄、腰椎节段、间盘膨出、间盘突出、间盘脱出、椎间隙改变、椎管狭窄、腰椎滑脱的相关性。结果 348例共1 740个腰椎椎间盘中,89例(25.6%,包括手术患者7例)139个椎间盘(7.9%)邻近终板发生Modic改变,以Ⅱ型为多。按性别统计:男女差异无统计学意义;按不同年龄组统计:50~59岁组最多,为34.31%;Modic改变在椎间盘突出或脱出者、椎间隙高度降低者、退行性腰椎管狭窄、腰椎Ⅰ度滑脱者的发生率较高。结论腰椎终板存在Modic改变,最常见的类型为Ⅱ型,Ⅰ型次之,Ⅲ型最为少见,其多发生于L5~S1节段,其次为L4~5。腰椎Modic的发生与年龄、腰椎节段、间盘膨出、间盘突出、间盘脱出、椎间隙改变、椎管狭窄、腰椎滑脱存在相关性。Modic改变可能是腰椎间盘退变严重的表现。     

腰椎间盘退变性疾患下腰椎终板形态的MRI观察

【摘要】　目的：在MRI片上观察腰椎间盘退变患者下腰椎终板形态的分布规律,分析终板形态和椎间盘退变的关系。方法：回顾分析两组腰椎间盘退变性疾病患者的术前腰椎MRI,A组110例为单节段腰椎间盘突出症患者,B组35例为椎间盘源性腰痛患者。根据正中矢状面MRI T1像,将终板形态分为凹面、平坦、不规则三型;根据Pfirrmann法评定椎间盘退变程度并将Ⅰ～Ⅴ级分别计为1～5分;按Modic改变分级标准判定各节段终板有无Modic改变。分析下腰椎终板的形态特点及三种分型与椎间盘退变程度、Modic改变等的关系。结果：①435个下腰椎节段中,凹面型终板最多（215/435）,A组中占50.6％（167/330）,B组中占45.7％（48/105）,且主要分布于L3/4（108/215）、L4/5（83/215）节段;平坦型终板占29.0％（126/435）,并主要位于L5/S1节段（76/126）;不规则型终板最少（94/435）,A组中占23.0％（76/330）,B组中占17.1％（18/105）,也主要位于L5/S1节段（45/94）。②A组患者中,凹面型终板退变程度平均为3.31±0.81分,平坦型为3.66±0.64分,不规则型为4.16±0.67分,两两比较有显著差异（P＜0.05）;椎间盘突出节段以平坦型（37/110）和不规则型（43/110）终板占多数,无突出节段则以凹面型（137/220）终板占多数,差异有显著性（P＜0.05）;不规则型终板比凹面型和平坦型更容易伴发Modic改变,差异有显著性（P＜0.05）,凹面型和平坦型间无显著性差异（P＞0.05）。③B组患者中,凹面型终板的椎间盘退变程度平均为3.23±0.86分,平坦型为3.54±0.85分,不规则型为3.94±0.54分,仅凹面型和不规则型间差异有显著性（P＜0.05）。④相同终板形态时A组和B组椎间盘退变程度相比均无显著性差异（P＞0.05）。结论：终板形态与椎间盘退变、Modic改变之间有相关性。终板形态由凹面型到平坦型再到不规则型,腰椎间盘退变程度逐渐加重。影像学上终板形态改变在一定程度上反映了椎间盘退变的程度。     

腰椎侧凸软骨终板退变的X线表现及临床意义

目的探讨腰椎侧凸软骨终板退变的X线表现及其临床意义。方法收治的退变性腰椎侧凸43例,均行X线平片检查,观察其影像学特点。分别测定凹侧和凸侧每个椎体头、尾侧关节软骨的钙化层厚度,均数行t检验。结果 X线片显示椎间隙楔形样变、椎间隙狭窄、终板钙化和骨赘形成。退变的软骨终板潮标明显前移,钙化和骨化层增厚,形成突向外侧的椎体边缘的骨赘。凹侧和凸侧椎间盘关节软骨钙化层厚度分别为(35±8)μm和(72±12)μm,差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。结论软骨终板退变较其他椎间盘退变的X线征象出现早,详细研究其X线特点,对于诊断退变性腰椎侧凸和设计合理的手术方式具有重要的指导作用。     

退行性胸腰椎/腰椎后凸椎体终板Modic改变与脊柱骨盆矢状位参数相关性分析

目的探讨退行性胸腰椎/腰椎后凸椎体终板Modic改变(Thoracolumbar degenerative kyphosis/Lumbar degenerative kyphosis,TLDK/LDK)与脊柱骨盆矢状位参数的相关性。方法回顾性分析自2016-03—2018-03诊治的116例TLDK/LDK,记录T₁₀至S₁椎体出现Moidc改变的情况,并测量矢状位全脊柱X线片下脊柱-骨盆参数,分析Modic改变终板数量与矢状面偏移(Sagittal vertical axis,SVA)、胸椎后凸角(Thoracic kyphosis,TK)、胸腰后凸角(Thoracolumbar kyphosis,TLK)、腰椎前凸角(Lumbar lordosis,LL)、骨盆入射角(Pelvis incidence,PI)、骶骨倾斜角(Sacral slope,SS)、骨盆倾斜角(Pelvic tilt,PT)的相关性。结果 116例共1856个椎体终板均顺利完成检查,共62例184个椎体终板出现Modic改变,6例共12个椎体终板出现Ⅰ型改变,50例共137个椎体终板出现Ⅱ型改变,36例共35个椎体终板出现Ⅲ型改变。相关性分析结果显示出现椎体Modic改变的终板数量与LL、SS呈负相关,与PT成正相关(P<0.05)。结论 TLDK/LDK的Modic改变以Ⅱ型多见,Modic改变与LL、SS、PT存在相关性。     

Vertebral end-plate (Modic) changes on lumbar spine MRI: correlation with pain reproduction at lumbar discography

The vertebral end-plate has been identified as a possible source of discogenic low back pain. MRI demonstrates end-plate (Modic) changes in 20–50% of patients with low back pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between Modic changes on MRI and discogenic back pain on lumbar discography. The MRI studies and discograms of 58 patients with a clinical diagnosis of discogenic back pain were reviewed and the presence of a Modic change was correlated with pain reproduction at 152 disc levels. Twenty-three discs with adjacent Modic changes were injected, 21 of which were associated with pain reproduction. However, pain was also reproduced at 69 levels where no Modic change was seen. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for a Modic change as a marker of a painful disc were 23.3%, 96.8%, 91.3% and 46.5% respectively. Modic changes, therefore, appear to be a relatively specific but insensitive sign of a painful lumbar disc in patients with discogenic low back pain. Received: 24 October 1997 Revised: 11 March 1998 Accepted: 21 April 1998     

Unusual presentation of vertebral endplate Modic changes in congenital scoliosis associated with pain: a report of two cases

Congenital scoliosis is not normally associated with pain in young children. We are presenting two cases of young patients with congenital scoliosis and moderate to severe pain. There were no spinal cord abnormalities found in these patients. The magnetic resonance imaging and CT scan revealed disc degeneration with Modic changes at the apex of the congenital scoliosis. We hypothesized that the mechanical instability resulting from poor spinal element formations associated with congenital scoliosis was responsible for causing the disc degeneration and endplate changes. Modic changes have been reported to be associated with pain in degenerative conditions of the spine. Both patients underwent a posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation, which relieved their pain immediately.     

Retrolisthesis and lumbar disc herniation: a preoperative assessment of patient function.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Retrolisthesis is relatively rare but when present has been associated with increased back pain and impaired back function. Neither the prevalence of this condition in individuals with lumbar disc herniations nor its possible relation to preoperative back pain and dysfunction has been well studied. PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were as follows: (1) to determine the prevalence of retrolisthesis (alone or in combination with other degenerative conditions) in individuals with confirmed L5-S1 disc herniation who later underwent lumbar discectomy; (2) to determine if there is any association between retrolisthesis and degenerative changes within the same vertebral motion segment; and (3) to determine the relation between retrolisthesis (alone or in combination with other degenerative conditions) and preoperative low back pain, physical function, and quality of life. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Cross-sectional study. PATIENT SAMPLE: A total of 125 individuals were identified for incorporation into this study. All patients had confirmed L5-S1 disc herniation on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and later underwent L5-S1 discectomy. All patients were enrolled in the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT) study; data were obtained from the multi-institutional database comprised of SPORT patients from across the United States. OUTCOME MEASURES: Retrolisthesis, degenerative change on MRI, and Modic changes. METHODS: MRI scans of the lumbar spine were assessed at spinal level L5-S1 for all 125 patients. Retrolisthesis was defined as posterior subluxation of 8% or more. Disc degeneration was defined as any loss of disc signal on T2 imaging. Modic changes were graded 1 to 3 and collectively classified as vertebral endplate degenerative changes. The presence of facet arthropathy and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy was classified jointly as posterior degenerative changes. RESULTS: The overall incidence of retrolisthesis at L5-S1 in our study was 23.2%. Retrolisthesis combined with posterior degenerative changes, degenerative disc disease, or vertebral endplate changes had incidences of 4.8%, 16%, and 4.8% respectively. The prevalence of retrolisthesis did not vary by sex, age, race, smoking status, or education level when compared with individuals with normal sagittal alignment. However, individuals with retrolisthesis were more likely to be receiving workers' compensation than those without retrolisthesis. Increased age was found to be associated with individuals having vertebral endplate degenerative changes (both alone and in conjunction with retrolisthesis) and degenerative disc disease. Individuals who had retrolisthesis with concomitant vertebral endplate degenerative changes were more often smokers and had no insurance. The presence of retrolisthesis was not associated with an increased incidence of having degenerative disc disease, posterior degenerative changes, or vertebral endplate changes. No statistical significance was found between the presence of retrolisthesis on the degree of patient preoperative low back pain and physical function. Patients with degenerative disc disease were found to have increased leg pain compared with those patients without degenerative disc changes. CONCLUSIONS: We found no significant relationship between retrolisthesis in patients with L5-S1 disc herniation and worse baseline pain or function. It is possible that the contribution of pain or dysfunction related to retrolisthesis was far overshadowed by the presence of symptoms caused by the concomitant disc herniation. It remains to be seen whether retrolisthesis will affect outcome after discectomy in these patients.     

Predictive value of MRI vertebral end-plate signal changes (Modic) on outcome of surgically treated degenerative disc disease. Results of a cohort study including 60 patients

OBJECTIVE: To assess the predictive value of MRI vertebral end-plate changes (Modic) on clinical outcome of surgically treated lumbar single-level degenerative disc disease (DDD). METHODS: A cohort of 60 patients was included. Patient groups were similar in respect of age, gender and clinical presentation, allowing comparisons. Patient age ranged from 30 to 72 years (mean: 45.8 years). All patients suffered severe chronic low back pain for more than 6 months, with single-level symptomatic DDD. All patients experienced segmental instrumented interbody (n = 22) or posterolateral (n = 38) fusion. Clinical outcome was assessed by using a visual analog scale (VAS) and the functional disability scale of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) for lumbar spine. The number of patients for each Modic group was as follows: Modic type 0, n = 15; Modic type I, n = 22; Modic type II, n = 14; and Modic type I/II, n = 9. Fusion rates were similar for each Modic group of patients. Mean follow-up was 14 months. RESULTS: The pre-operative mean VAS improved by 53.5% (from 8.2+/-2.0 to 3.8+/-1.9, p < 0.05) and the pre-operative mean JOA score by 58% (from 5.5+/-2.1 to 11.0+/-2.4, p < 0.05). Patients harboring Modic type I changes improved much better than others (p < 0.05). Conversely, clinical outcome of patients presenting with Modic type II lesions was poor. CONCLUSION: This study confirms instrumented fusion as an effective treatment in symptomatic lumbar DDD. Preoperative combination of low back pain of discal origin and severe DDD with Modic type I lesion on MRI may lead to excellent results after fusion in a large proportion of patients. Conversely, arthrodesis for patients harboring Modic type II abnormalities implicates smaller benefit of doubtful clinical significance.     

后路腰椎间融合治疗腰椎管狭窄症患者腰痛的疗效分析

[目的]分析腰椎管狭窄症患者腰痛的原因,探讨后路腰椎间融合术对腰椎管狭窄症腰痛的治疗效果.[方法]比较腰痛明显的腰椎管狭窄症患者和典型间歇性跛行症状的腰椎管狭窄症患者的年龄、术前腰椎失稳、生理前凸消失和退变性侧弯的发生率;分析后路腰椎间融合 (posterior lumbar interbody fusion, PLIF) 治疗腰椎管狭窄症患者下腰痛的随访结果.[结果]腰痛明显组的腰椎管狭窄症患者的平均年龄、腰椎节段性失稳率、腰椎前凸消失和退变性侧弯的比率高于间歇性跛行组的腰椎管狭窄症患者.PLIF术后腰痛症状明显减轻,JOA评分改善,退变性侧弯程度减轻,腰椎前凸恢复,椎间均达到骨性融合.[结论]PLIF可消除腰椎管狭窄症的多种腰痛病因,是治疗腰椎管狭窄症下腰痛的较好术式选择.     

Lumbar modic changes-a comparison between findings at low- and high-field magnetic resonance imaging

STUDY DESIGN.: A cross-sectional observational study. OBJECTIVE.: To investigate whether there is a difference in findings of lumbar Modic changes in low-field (0.3 T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compared with high-field (1.5 T). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.: It is a challenge to give patients with low back pain a specific diagnosis. Modic changes as seen on MRI have been reported to be a possible source of pain. However, it is unclear whether the diagnosis is independent on the field strength. METHODS.: Twenty patients with Modic changes, 11 women and 9 men (mean age, 53.6 yr; range, 29-81 yr), with or without sciatica, seen in a Danish outpatient low back pain clinic were included. All patients obtained MRI scans on both a high-field and a low-field MRI scanner. Two radiologists evaluated all lumbar endplates independently, using a standardized evaluation protocol. Kappa statistics were used to analyze the interobserver reproducibility. We used paired t test to analyze the difference between low- and high-field MRI. RESULTS.: The total number of Modic changes diagnosed with high-field MRI was significantly higher than that with low-field MRI. However, 3 to 4 times as many Modic type 1 changes were found with low-field MRI compared with high-field MRI. Contrarily, with high-field MRI type 2 changes were diagnosed twice as often. CONCLUSION.: There was a significant difference between low- and high-field MRI regarding the overall prevalence of any Modic change, but this had opposite directions for types 1 and 2: type 2 dominated in low field and conversely in high field. The type of MRI unit should be taken into consideration when diagnosing patients with Modic changes.     

Pain and disability correlated with disc degeneration via magnetic resonance imaging in scoliosis patients

Prior imaging studies of scoliosis patients attempted to demonstrate a relationship between plain radiographic curve patterns and curve progression and pain, or used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to focus on spinal cord abnormalities. Pain in scoliosis patients may differ from nondeformity patients, yet may still be discogenic. The purpose of this study was to assess the possible relationship of degenerative disc findings on MRI to scoliosis patients’ pain. This prospective study enrolled scoliosis and control patients, all of whom had assessment for back pain (visual analog scale) and disability (Oswestry Index) and spinal MRI to identify prevalence and distribution of degenerative disc findings. Specifically, we assessed 60 consecutive pediatric and adult idiopathic scoliosis patients who had progressed to surgical treatment, 60 age- and gender-matched asymptomatic controls, and 172 nondeformity symptomatic degenerative disc disease patients who had progressed to surgical treatment. All subjects had independent analysis of their preoperative MRI for disc degeneration, disc herniation, Schmorl’s nodes, and inflammatory end plate changes. Imaging findings of the scoliosis patients were compared to those from asymptomatic and symptomatic control groups. Our results found that both pediatric and adult scoliosis patients had significantly more pain and disability than did asymptomatic controls (P < 0.001). The adult idiopathic scoliosis patients had pain and disability similar to those of surgical degenerative disc disease control groups. Disc degeneration and herniation (contained) were not related to pain. However, in the pediatric scoliosis patients, those with Schmorl’s nodes often had greater pain than those without (P = 0.01). Adults with painful scoliosis, typically occurring at the apex of the scoliosis or at the lumbosacral junction, had a significantly higher frequency of inflammatory end plate changes on MRI than did controls (P < 0.001). Prior studies have demonstrated a correlation of inflammatory end plate changes to lumbar discogenic pain. In conclusions, scoliosis patients who have progressed to surgical intervention, pediatric patients have varying degrees of pain, and those with Schmorl’s nodes may be at greater risk for pain. Adult scoliosis patients have multifactorial pain of which one component may be related to degeneration of the lower lumbar discs similar to that in nondeformity patients. Additionally, adult scoliosis patients may have MRI findings consistent with discogenic pain at the apex of their curvature, most commonly at the proximal lumbar levels.