Cartilaginous Endplate Damage May be a Root Pathology Underlying Modic Changes on Lumbar Spine MR Images.

ABSTRACT: Study DesignRabbit model study.ObjectiveTo examine whether cartilaginous endplate (CEP) destruction leads to endplate and vertebral marrow signal changes (Modic changes, MCs) on MR images.MethodsSixteen adult rabbits were used in the study and underwent an anterolateral procedure to expose the L2-6 intervertebral discs. The L4/5, L3/4 and L2/3 discs underwent annulotomy, annulotomy and CEP curettage, or annulotomy and chemonucleolysis, respectively, while the L5/6 disc served as a shame control. MR imaging was performed preoperatively and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively to evaluate the presence or absence of MCs. After the last imaging, animals were sacrificed for histological study, focusing on endplate pathologies and their associations with MCs.ResultsAmong the 64 endplates that u

SUBMITTER: Feng Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11846092 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature