Modic type 2 changes are fibroinflammatory changes with complement system involvement adjacent to degenerated vertebral endplates.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Vertebral endplate signal intensity changes visualized by magnetic resonance imaging termed Modic changes (MC) are highly prevalent in low back pain patients. Interconvertibility between the three MC subtypes (MC1, MC2, MC3) suggests different pathological stages. Histologically, granulation tissue, fibrosis, and bone marrow edema are signs of inflammation in MC1 and MC2. However, different inflammatory infiltrates and amount of fatty marrow suggest distinct inflammatory processes in MC2.

Aims

The aims of this study were to investigate (i) the degree of bony (BEP) and cartilage endplate (CEP) degeneration in MC2, (ii) to identify inflammatory MC2 pathomechanisms, and (iii) to show that these marrow changes correlate with severity of endplate degeneration.

Metho

SUBMITTER: Heggli I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10041382 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature