Yue Wang1, Tapio Videman, Michele C Battié. 1. Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, 8205 114 St, 3-44 Corbett Hall, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2G4.
Abstract
BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Suspected as a cause of back pain, Modic changes (MCs) have received increasing attention in spine research and care. Yet, epidemiologic knowledge of MCs based on the general population, which may provide an important clinical reference, is limited. PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence and distribution patterns of MCs in the lumbosacral spine and their associations with age in a large population-based sample of men. STUDY DESIGN: An epidemiologic investigation of lumbar magnetic resonance images (MRIs). PATIENT SAMPLE: This study was based on the Twin Spine Study database, comprising a sample of male twins shown to be largely representative of the base Finnish population. Lumbar spine MRIs (1.5 Tesla Magnetom; Siemens AG, Erlangen, Germany) of 561 subjects (mean age, 49.8 years; range, 35-70 years) were included in the present study. METHODS: For each spine, all 11 end plates (L1-S1) in the lumbar region were evaluated using both T1- and T2-weighted images to identify MCs, which were classified into Type 1, 2, 3, and mixed types. Furthermore, the number and location of MCs were recorded, as well as the anteroposterior (AP) and transverse sizes, to explore the prevalence and distribution pattern of MCs in the lumbar region and associations with age. RESULTS: Modic changes were identified in 55.6% (312) of individuals and 13.5% (830) of end plates studied. Among these MCs, 64.2% (533) were Type 2, 16.0% (133) were Type 1, 18.1% (150) were Mixed Type 1/2, and the remaining 1.6% (13) were noted as Type 3 or Mixed Type 2/3. Modic changes were more common in the lower (74.5%) than in the upper lumbar region (25.5%), and 77.9% (642) of MCs presented in pairs at opposing end plates of a disc. Moreover, the specific type of MCs on opposing end plates was usually concordant. The presence of MCs in the lumbar region was associated with age (odds ratio=1.05-1.08 for each additional year of age, depending on type of MCs, p<.001). In addition, greater age was associated with a greater number of end plates affected and MCs of larger size (p<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Modic changes are common MRI findings in the lumbar spines of middle-aged white men, with Type 2 MCs predominating. Mainly present in the lower lumbar region, MCs tend to affect both end plates adjacent to a disc simultaneously, and they commonly involve the entire AP diameter of the vertebral end plate. The presence and size of MCs are clearly related to age, suggesting that aging or associated factors may play an essential role in the pathogenesis of MCs.
BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Suspected as a cause of back pain, Modic changes (MCs) have received increasing attention in spine research and care. Yet, epidemiologic knowledge of MCs based on the general population, which may provide an important clinical reference, is limited. PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence and distribution patterns of MCs in the lumbosacral spine and their associations with age in a large population-based sample of men. STUDY DESIGN: An epidemiologic investigation of lumbar magnetic resonance images (MRIs). PATIENT SAMPLE: This study was based on the Twin Spine Study database, comprising a sample of male twins shown to be largely representative of the base Finnish population. Lumbar spine MRIs (1.5 Tesla Magnetom; Siemens AG, Erlangen, Germany) of 561 subjects (mean age, 49.8 years; range, 35-70 years) were included in the present study. METHODS: For each spine, all 11 end plates (L1-S1) in the lumbar region were evaluated using both T1- and T2-weighted images to identify MCs, which were classified into Type 1, 2, 3, and mixed types. Furthermore, the number and location of MCs were recorded, as well as the anteroposterior (AP) and transverse sizes, to explore the prevalence and distribution pattern of MCs in the lumbar region and associations with age. RESULTS: Modic changes were identified in 55.6% (312) of individuals and 13.5% (830) of end plates studied. Among these MCs, 64.2% (533) were Type 2, 16.0% (133) were Type 1, 18.1% (150) were Mixed Type 1/2, and the remaining 1.6% (13) were noted as Type 3 or Mixed Type 2/3. Modic changes were more common in the lower (74.5%) than in the upper lumbar region (25.5%), and 77.9% (642) of MCs presented in pairs at opposing end plates of a disc. Moreover, the specific type of MCs on opposing end plates was usually concordant. The presence of MCs in the lumbar region was associated with age (odds ratio=1.05-1.08 for each additional year of age, depending on type of MCs, p<.001). In addition, greater age was associated with a greater number of end plates affected and MCs of larger size (p<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Modic changes are common MRI findings in the lumbar spines of middle-aged white men, with Type 2 MCs predominating. Mainly present in the lower lumbar region, MCs tend to affect both end plates adjacent to a disc simultaneously, and they commonly involve the entire AP diameter of the vertebral end plate. The presence and size of MCs are clearly related to age, suggesting that aging or associated factors may play an essential role in the pathogenesis of MCs.
Authors: Christine B Chung; Bruno C Vande Berg; Thierry Tavernier; Anne Cotten; Jean-Denis Laredo; Christian Vallee; Jacques Malghem Journal: Skeletal Radiol Date: 2004-05-11 Impact factor: 2.199
Authors: J M Vital; O Gille; V Pointillart; M Pedram; P Bacon; F Razanabola; C Schaelderle; S Azzouz Journal: Spine (Phila Pa 1976) Date: 2003-04-01 Impact factor: 3.468
Authors: Jani Takatalo; Jaro Karppinen; Jaakko Niinimäki; Simo Taimela; Simo Näyhä; Marjo-Riitta Järvelin; Eero Kyllönen; Osmo Tervonen Journal: Spine (Phila Pa 1976) Date: 2009-07-15 Impact factor: 3.468
Authors: Egon Perilli; Ian H Parkinson; Le-Hoa Truong; Kuan C Chong; Nicola L Fazzalari; Orso L Osti Journal: Eur Spine J Date: 2014-07-26 Impact factor: 3.134
Authors: Juhani H Määttä; Minna Kraatari; Lisa Wolber; Jaakko Niinimäki; Sam Wadge; Jaro Karppinen; Frances M K Williams Journal: Eur Spine J Date: 2014-05-15 Impact factor: 3.134