The association between Modic changes and pain during 1-year follow-up in patients with lumbar radicular pain

Objective

To examine whether Modic changes influence pain during a 1-year follow-up in patients with lumbar radicular pain.

Materials and Methods

A total of 243 patients with lumbar radicular pain due to disc herniation were recruited from two hospitals in Norway and followed up at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. On baseline lumbar magnetic resonance images, two observers independently evaluated Modic changes (types I–III; craniocaudal size 0–3). Outcomes were sensory pain (McGill Pain Questionnaire), back and leg pain (visual analogue scale, VAS). Association between Modic type and outcomes was explored with a mixed model and then by two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) at each time point with Modic and treatment groups (surgical, n?=?126; nonsurgical, n?=?117) as fixed factors, adjusted for disc degeneration, age, sex, smoking, and duration of radicular pain. Modic size was also analyzed using ANOVA.

Results

Pain scores had decreased significantly at 1-year follow-up. Modic type was significantly related to McGill sensory scores (mixed model: p?=?0.014–0.026; ANOVA: p?=?0.007 at 6 weeks), but not to VAS back pain or VAS leg pain scores. At 6 weeks, the mean McGill sensory score was higher in Modic I than in Modic II–III patients (p?=?0.003) and in patients without Modic changes (p?=?0.018). Modic size L1–S1 was not associated with pain outcomes.

Conclusion

Patients with lumbar radicular pain have a substantial pain reduction during 1-year follow-up, but Modic type I changes may imply a slower initial decrease in sensory pain.     

Treatment of painful Modic type I changes by vertebral augmentation with bioactive resorbable bone cement

Introduction

Low back pain is one of the most common causes of seeking medical attention in industrialized western countries. End plate degenerative changes in the acute phase, formally referred to as Modic type I, represent a specific cause. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of vertebral augmentation with calcium sulfate and hydroxyapatite resorbable cement in patients with low back pain resistant to conservative treatment whose origin can be recognized in Modic type I changes.

Methods

From February 2009 to October 2013, 1,124 patients with low back pain without radicular symptoms underwent physical and imaging evaluation. Stringent inclusion criteria elected 218 to vertebral augmentation with resorbable cement. Follow-up period was 1 year.

Results

One hundred seventy-two (79 %) patients improved quickly during the first 4 weeks after treatment. Forty-two (19 %) patients showed a more gradual improvement over the first 6 months, and at 1 year, their pain level did not differ from that of the previous group. In both groups, pain did not resolved completely, but patients showed significant improvement in their daily life activities. Two (1 %) patients did not show any improvement. Two (1 %) patients died for other reasons. There were no complications related to the procedures.

Conclusion

Vertebroplasty with bioactive resorbable bone cement seems to be an effective therapeutic option for patients with low back pain resistant to conservative treatment whose origin could be recognized in Modic type I end plate degenerative changes.     

Modic type I changes of the lumbar spine in golfers

Low back pain (LBP) is the most prevalent musculoskeletal complaint among professional and amateur golfers; however, associated radiological changes in golf-related LBP have not been examined in the literature. We suspect that Modic Type 1 changes in the lumbar spine are linked to golf-related LBP. In this retrospective case series, four middle-aged golfers (one professional and three high-level amateurs) presented to our clinic with LBP. Inflammation of the right side of endplates in the lumbar spine was suspected based on Modic Type 1 changes detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in each patient. All four cases were diagnosed with right-sided endplate inflammation and administered intradiscal steroid injections with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Treatment swiftly alleviated LBP and diminished Modic Type 1 changes on follow-up MRI 3-6?months later in all four patients. We suggest that Modic Type 1 changes play a significant role in the diagnosis and treatment of golf-related LBP.     

Modic changes in vertebral endplates: a comparison of MR imaging and multislice CT

OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to evaluate the presence of endplate sclerosis in different types of Modic changes and to assess the capability of MRI in detecting endplate sclerosis within these changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The lumbar spines (L3-S1) of 70 patients were retrospectively reviewed to determine Modic changes and disc degeneration from MRI and endplate sclerosis from CT. T1- and T2-weighted signal intensity and Hounsfield unit (HU) measurements of type I and II Modic changes were recorded and the association of both Modic types I and II with endplate sclerosis was analyzed with a Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: Altogether 82 Modic changes in 36 subjects were recorded: 13% were type I, 12% mixed type I/II, 65% type II, 9% mixed type II/III, and 1% type III. Thirty-eight percent of the endplates with Modic changes had sclerosis in CT. Of specific Modic types, mixed I/II and II/III associated significantly with endplate sclerosis. Endplate sclerosis was not detected in MRI in a quantitative analysis. CONCLUSION: Endplate sclerosis exists in all types of Modic changes, especially in mixed Modic types, and not only in type III changes, as previously assumed. Endplate sclerosis was not detected in MRI, which may depend on the amount of mineralization of the bone marrow.     

Primary atypical sacral meningioma--not always benign

We present a case of an atypical recurrent meningioma of the sacrum with pulmonary metastasis in a 31-year-old man. He presented with deep-seated buttock pain and urinary hesitancy for 3 months. MRI revealed a lesion occupying the central and left side of the sacral canal at the S1-S2 level. Surgical excision of the lesion via a posterior approach was undertaken, and the patient became symptom-free post-operatively. Histology confirmed atypical meningioma. Eight months later he re-presented with similar symptoms, and MRI confirmed local recurrence. The patient underwent left hemisacrectomy. Six months later he again presented with low back pain and MRI confirmed a second local recurrence. A CT scan of the chest showed multiple lung metastases. The patient died of a severe chest infection 18 months later.     

Disc degeneration and chronic low back pain: an association which becomes nonsignificant when endplate changes and disc contour are taken into account

Introduction

The objective of this study was to assess the association between severe disc degeneration (DD) and low back pain (LBP).

Methods

A case–control study was conducted with 304 subjects, aged 35–50, recruited in routine clinical practice across six hospitals; 240 cases (chronic LBP patients with a median pain duration of 46 months) and 64 controls (asymptomatic subjects without any lifetime history of significant LBP). The following variables were assessed once, using previously validated methods: gender, age, body mass index (BMI), lifetime smoking exposure, degree of physical activity, severity of LBP, disability, and findings on magnetic resonance (MRI) (disc degeneration, Modic changes (MC), disc protrusion/hernia, annular tears, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis). Radiologists who interpreted MRI were blinded to the subjects' characteristics. A multivariate logistic regression model assessed the association between severe DD and chronic LBP, adjusting for gender, age, BMI, physical activity, MC, disc protrusion/hernia, and spinal stenosis.

Results

Severe DD at ≥1 level was found in 46.9 % of the controls and 65.8 % of the cases. Crude odds ratio (95 % CI), for suffering chronic LBP when having severe DD, was 2.06 (1.05; 4.06). After adjusting for “MC” and “disc protrusion/hernia,” it was 1.81 (0.81; 4.05).

Conclusions

The association between severe DD and LBP ceases to be significant when adjusted for MC and disc protrusion/hernia. These results do not support that DD as a major cause of chronic LBP.     

Do more MRI findings imply worse disability or more intense low back pain? A cross-sectional study of candidates for lumbar disc prosthesis

Objective

To examine whether combined magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings are related to the degree of disability and low back pain (LBP) in candidates for lumbar disc prosthesis surgery.

Materials and methods

This cross-sectional study included 170 disc prosthesis candidates (mean age 41 years; 88 women) with chronic non-radicular LBP and localized disc degeneration. Experienced radiologists rated Modic changes and disc findings at L4-S1 on pre-treatment MRIs. An MRI total score (0–10) for findings at L4/L5 plus L5/S1 was calculated for Modic type I and/or II changes, a posterior high intensity zone (HIZ) in the disc, dark/black nucleus pulposus signal, and ≥40 % disc height decrease. We analyzed the relationship of the MRI total score to the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) (n?=?170) and LBP intensity scores (0–100 visual analogue scale, n?=?165) using multiple linear regression and adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, smoking, and anxiety/depression.

Results

The MRI total score was not related to ODI (regression coefficient 0.12, p?=?0.79) or LBP intensity (regression coefficient 0.64, p?=?0.37). When individual MRI findings were analyzed, patients with HIZ at L5/S1 had slightly lower ODI scores (4.7 points, p?=?0.02). In post hoc analyses, results remained unchanged after adding facet arthropathy to the MRI total score and adjusting also for physical workload and physical leisure-time activity.

Conclusions

The combined MRI findings were not related to the degree of disability or the intensity of LBP. These degenerative MRI findings cannot explain variation in pre-treatment disability and pain in patients with chronic LBP accepted for disc prosthesis surgery.     

MRI对腰椎Modic各型改变终板硬化诊断能力的研究

目的评价腰椎不同类型Modic改变中是否存在终板硬化和MRI诊断终板硬化的能力。方法回顾性分析68例患者脊椎腰段（L3～S1）的影像学资料,阅片分析MRI图像Modic改变和CT片的终板硬化;记录ModicⅠ和Ⅱ型中T1、T2信号强度及CT的HU值。结果共发现35例患者MRI显示有78个终板发生Modic改变,Ⅰ型13%,Ⅰ/Ⅱ混合型12%,Ⅱ型66%,Ⅱ/Ⅲ混合型8%,Ⅲ型1%;36%的终板Modic改变CT显示存在硬化,尤其是Ⅰ/Ⅱ和Ⅱ/Ⅲ混合型;MRI图像定量分析未表现终板硬化。结论终板硬化不仅存在于ModicⅢ型改变,并可存在所有类型,尤其是混合型;MRI不能表现终板硬化,可能取决于骨髓矿物质含量。     

臭氧治疗腰椎间盘突出症104例疗效分析

目的观察臭氧治疗腰椎间盘突出症疗效。方法104例患者经CT或MRI检查证实为腰椎间盘突出症。临床主要表现为腰背部及下肢疼痛或麻木,全部病例共144个病变椎间盘。透视下采用21G穿刺针穿刺病变椎间盘,盘内及椎旁间隙注射50μg/ml浓度的臭氧气体4～10ml,注射泼尼松龙40mg。结果2009年3月进行末次随访,随访率100%,随访时间为3～84个月,中位随访时间为38个月。总有效率77.1%,无任何严重并发症发生。结论经皮椎间盘及椎旁间隙臭氧注射术疗效可靠,安全。     

Analgesic benefit of niacin for shrapnel wound pain in war veteran

We report a case of an 86-year-old male with a history of dyslipidemia, which had been treated with a medication regimen that included niacin. Upon discontinuation of niacin by his physician, he noticed recurrence of aching pain on the dorsal surface of the foot where he had a scar from a World War II shrapnel injury. With reinitation of niacin, his pain again abated.     

颈椎Modic改变的MRI表现与临床意义

目的：探讨颈椎Modic改变的MRI表现与临床意义。方法回顾性分析116例颈椎Modic改变的MRI图像资料,记录Modic改变的类型、节段分布情况。结果116例患者中共计150个节段存在Modic改变,按照Modic分型,其中Ⅰ型23个节段,Ⅱ型110个节段,Ⅰ-Ⅱ混合型13个节段,Ⅲ型4个节段,发生率分别为15．3％、73．3％、8．7％、2．7％。按发生节段其中C5-6占57个节段,C6-7占41个节段,C4-5占29个节段,其余23个节段,分布情况与椎间盘突出好发部位相符。结论Modic改变是颈椎退行性病变中的一种常见表现,是引起颈痛的原因之一,并与椎间盘退变密切相关,MRI是首要检查方法。     

椎间盘源性下腰痛的MRI和椎间盘造影的相关性研究

目的 探讨椎间盘源性下腰痛患者的MRI和椎间盘造影表现与椎间盘造影一致性诱发痛的相关性.方法 93例慢性下腰痛患者腰椎MR检查和256个腰椎椎间盘造影.椎间盘造影按照Adams等分级标准进行,MRI髓核退变按Pearce等分级标准,终板退变按Medic标准分级,疼痛诱发评价分为一致性诱发痛和无痛或非一致性诱发痛.分析MRI椎间盘退变分级、椎间盘造影分级与一致性诱发痛的相关性.获得的数据采用X2检验进行统计分析.结果 93例256个椎间盘造影,116个出现一致性诱发痛.椎间盘造影:Ⅰ型椎间盘17个(6.6%),Ⅱ型椎间盘25个(9.8%),Ⅲ型椎间盘91个(35.5%),Ⅳ型椎间盘77个(30.1%),Ⅴ型椎间盘46个(18.0%).MRI椎间盘退变分级:Ⅰ级23个(9.0%),Ⅱ级34个(13.3%),Ⅲ级84个(32.8%),Ⅳ级85个(33.2%),Ⅴ级30个(11.7%).椎间盘造影与MRl分级密切相关(r=0.62,X2=160.87,P<0.01);椎间盘造影Ⅳ-Ⅴ型椎间盘123个,104个出现一致性诱发痛,与一致性诱发痛密切相关(r=0.60,X2=144.08,P<0.01);MRI椎间盘Ⅳ-Ⅴ级退变115个,99个出现一致性诱发痛,与一致性诱发痛密切相关(r=0.59,X2=137.11,P<0.01);椎间盘后缘高信号区60个,52个出现一致性诱发痛,两者具有密切相关性(r=0.41,X2=51.93,P<0.01);椎间盘终板异常58个,51个出现一致性诱发痛,两者具有密切相关性(r=0.41,X2=52.76,P<0.01).结论 MRI显示髓核中、重度退变、椎间盘后缘高信号区、椎体终板退变,以及椎间盘造影表现为外纤维环破裂、后纵韧带复合体破裂和出现一致性诱发痛时,可高度提示椎间盘源性下腰痛.椎间盘造影显示的椎间盘纤维环破裂伴随造影时的一致性诱发痛,是椎间盘源性下腰痛诊断的重要依据.     

Intra- and interobserver reproducibility of vertebral endplate signal (modic) changes in the lumbar spine: the Nordic Modic Consensus Group classification

BACKGROUND: The lumbar vertebral endplate is considered a potential cause of specific low back pain. However, in relation to future research, there is need for a reliable and detailed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol to be used in the evaluation of vertebral endplate signal changes. PURPOSE: To assess the intra- and interobserver reliability of the "Nordic Modic classification" protocol. MATERIAL AND METHODS: MRI scans of 50 individuals representative of the general Danish population aged 40 were evaluated by two observers. Criteria for grading the changes were developed by the Nordic Modic Consensus Group. After consensus was established, all 50 MRI examinations were evaluated independently by each observer. Intraobserver reliability was assessed by re-evaluation of the 50 examinations by one of the observers. Kappa statistics were used to calculate agreement. RESULTS: Intra- and interobserver agreement of the evaluation of variables describing vertebral signal changes, i.e. Modic type, location, volume, maximum height, and endplate area, were all found to have substantial to almost perfect agreement. The evaluation of osteophytes was found to be reliable, whereas the evaluation of localized endplate defects and irregular endplates had only moderate agreement. The evaluation of development over time was found to have substantial intraobserver agreement but only moderate interobserver agreement. As expected, intraobserver agreement was generally better than interobserver agreement. CONCLUSION: In this study, we found convincing reproducibility of a detailed evaluation protocol of vertebral endplate signal changes, the "Nordic Modic Classification." The authors recommend that the evaluation protocol should be used in future studies investigating vertebral endplate signal changes.     

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma and multiple thoraco-lumbar lateral meningoceles: two rare pathological entities in a patient with NF-1

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a rare vascular soft-tissue tumour of intermediate malignancy. Neurofibromatosis type I (NF-1) is a genetic syndrome associated with soft tissue sarcoma and higher risk of developing neoplasia. Lateral meningoceles are uncommon entities, being mostly associated with NF-1. We report a case of a 31-year-old woman, with NF-1 and past history of right thalamic/peduncular astrocytoma WHO grade II, admitted to the Neurosurgery Department in December 2003 due to severe low back pain, irradiating to the left leg without a radicular pattern. Thoraco-lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a large left posterior paravertebral expansive lesion, bilateral and multiple thoraco-lumbar lateral meningoceles and dural ectasias with scalloping of the vertebral bodies. Biopsy of the paravertebral mass lesion disclosed EHE. We present this case because of the novel association between NF-1 and EHE, and the unusual aggressiveness of the neoplasia. Additionally, we highlight the co-existence of bilateral and multiple lateral meningoceles.     

Pain course in conservatively treated patients with back pain and a VCF on the spine radiograph (VERTOS III)

Objective

Little is known about the natural course of pain from vertebral compression fractures (VCF). In this study we evaluated the pain course in conservatively treated patients with back pain and a VCF on the spine radiograph.

Materials and methods

Between May 2007 and November 2008, 169 patients with back pain referred by the general practitioner for spine radiographs and with a VCF were requested to participate in this follow-up study. Base line questionnaires about visual analogue scale (VAS) score, type of treatment and use of osteoporosis medication were filled in by 82 patients. Questionnaires were repeated at 6 weeks, and at 3, 6 and 12 months. Significant pain relief was defined as a decrease in VAS score of 50 % or more from baseline.

Results

At baseline, mean VAS score in 82 patients was 6.9 (SD 2.0). Significant pain relief at 12 months was reported by 44 patients (54 %) while in 38 patients (46 %) pain relief was insufficient. No predictors for pain relief could be identified. Patients with insufficient pain relief at 12 months used significantly more analgesics and in these patients physiotherapy did better than other types of therapy.

Conclusion

More than half of conservatively treated patients with back pain and VCF had sufficient pain relief at 12 months with most pain decrease in the first 3 months. However, a substantial proportion of patients still reported disabling pain. There were no predictors for the development of chronic pain. Patients with continuing pain ≥3 months after diagnosis of VCF may be candidates for vertebroplasty.     

Osteomyelitis and Discitis Following Translumbar Repair of a Type II Endoleak

Here we present the case of an 80-year-old man who developed a type II endoleak following endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Initial attempts at treating the endoleak via a transarterial approach were unsuccessful; therefore the patient underwent percutaneous translumbar endoleak embolization. Approximately 1 month following the translumbar procedure, he developed back pain, with subsequent workup revealing osteomyelitis and discitis as a complication following repair via the translumbar approach.     

Myositis ossificans as a complication of a muscle tendon junction strain of long head of biceps. A case report

An unusual case of myositis ossificans secondary to a muscle tendon junction (MTJ) strain of long head of biceps in a young athlete is reported. Plain radiographs, ultrasonography and MRI in association with clinical assessment showed the appearance and the evolution of this pathological entity. This case had a resolution of pain and function after 3 months of conservative treatment. At 6 months follow-up, the athlete became asymptomatic and he gradually returned back to his sports activity.     

腰椎间盘MRI高信号区在诊断椎间盘源性下腰痛中的意义

目的:研究椎间盘源性下腰痛患者腰椎间盘纤维环后方MRI高信号区(HIZ)的临床意义。方法:回顾性分析2003年～2005年行MRI检查的下腰痛患者123例,合并有腰椎间盘突出、椎间盘炎、腰椎结核、滑脱、椎管狭窄等能引起下腰痛疾病的患者排除在本研究之外。对照组60例无典型的下腰部慢性疼痛,或有下腰部疼痛症状但临床检查已明确诊断为其它疾病。卡方检验比较两组HIZ出现率差异是否有显著性意义。结果:实验组出现HIZ患者67例(54%),明显多于对照组(9例,15%),P<0.001。结论:MRI显示的HIZ是椎间盘源性下腰痛的重要征象。     

Value of fusion of PET and MRI in the detection of intra-pelvic recurrence of gynecological tumor: comparison with 18F-FDG contrast-enhanced PET/CT and pelvic MRI

Background

To evaluate the diagnostic value of retrospective image fusion from pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) in detecting intra-pelvic recurrence of gynecological tumor.

Methods

Thirty patients with a suspicion of recurrence of gynecological malignancy underwent inline contrast-enhanced PET/computed tomography (CT) and pelvic contrast-enhanced MRI for restaging. Diagnostic performance about the local recurrence, pelvic lymph node and bone metastasis and peritoneal lesion of PET/low-dose non-enhanced CT (PET/ldCT), PET/full-dose contrast-enhanced CT (PET/ceCT), contrast-enhanced MRI, and retrospective image fusion from PET and MRI (fused PET/MRI) were evaluated by two experienced readers. Final diagnoses were obtained by histopathological examinations, radiological imaging and clinical follow-up for at least 6 months. McNemar test was employed for statistical analysis.

Results

Documented positive locally recurrent disease, pelvic lymph node and bone metastases, and peritoneal dissemination were present in 53.3, 26.7, 10.0, and 16.7 %, respectively. Patient-based sensitivity for detecting local recurrence, pelvic lymph node and bone metastasis and peritoneal lesion were 87.5, 87.5, 100 and 80.0 %, respectively, for fused PET/MRI, 87.5, 62.5, 66.7 and 60.0 %, respectively, for contrast-enhanced MRI, 62.5, 87.5, 66.7 and 80.0 %, respectively, for PET/ceCT, and 50.0, 87.5, 66.7 and 60.0 %, respectively, for PET/ldCT. The sensitivity of diagnosing local recurrence by fused PET/MRI was significantly better than that of PET/ldCT (p = 0.041). The patient-based sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for the detection of intra-pelvic recurrence/metastasis were 91.3, 100 and 93.3 % for fused PET/MRI, 82.6, 100 and 86.7 % for contrast-enhanced MRI, 82.6, 100 and 86.7 % for PET/ceCT and 78.3, 85.7 and 80.0 % for PET/ldCT.

Conclusion

Fused PET/MRI combines the individual advantages of MRI and PET, and is a valuable technique for assessment of intra-pelvic recurrence of gynecological cancers.     

Are Modic changes related to outcomes in lumbar disc herniation patients treated with imaging-guided lumbar nerve root blocks?

Objective

To compare outcomes after imaging-guided transforaminal lumbar nerve root blocks in MRI confirmed symptomatic disc herniation patients with and without Modic changes (MC).

Methods

Consecutive adult patients with MRI confirmed symptomatic lumbar disc herniations and an imaging-guided lumbar nerve root block injection who returned an outcomes questionnaire are included. Numerical rating scale (NRS) pain data was collected prior to injection and 20–30 min after injection. NRS and overall improvement were assessed using the patient's global impression of change (PGIC) scale at 1 day, 1 week and 1 month post injection. The proportion of patients with and without MC on MRI as well as Modic I and Modic II was calculated. These groups were compared for clinically relevant ‘improvement’ using the Chi-squared test. Baseline and follow-up NRS scores were compared for the groups using the unpaired t-test.

Results

346 patients are included with MC present in 57%. A higher percentage of patients without MC reported ‘improvement’ and a higher percentage of patients with MC reported ‘worsening’ but this did not reach statistical significance. The numerical scores on the PGIC and NRS scales showed that patients with MC had significantly higher pain and worse overall improvement scores at 1 month (p = 0.048 and p = 0.03) and a significantly lower 1 month NRS change score (p = 0.04).

Conclusions

Patients with MRI confirmed symptomatic lumbar disc herniations and MC report significantly lower levels of pain reduction after a lumbar nerve root block compared to patients without MC.