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The evolution of degenerative marrow (Modic) changes in the cervical spine in neck pain patients

Eugen Mann1, Cynthia K Peterson, Jürg Hodler

  • 1Radiology Department, Orthopaedic University Hospital Balgrist, Forchstr. 340, 8008, Zürich, Switzerland, eugenmn@hotmail.com.

European Spine Journal : Official Publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
|October 29, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Cervical spine Modic changes (MC) are dynamic. MC type 2 prevalence significantly increased over 2.5 years in neck pain patients, indicating spinal changes over time.

Area of Science:

  • Radiology
  • Spine Imaging
  • Musculoskeletal MRI

Background:

  • Modic changes (MC) are common findings on spinal MRI.
  • Longitudinal studies on cervical spine MC are limited, especially in symptomatic patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the natural progression of Modic changes (MC) in the cervical spine.
  • To assess changes in MC prevalence and types over time in patients experiencing neck pain.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of cervical spine MRI scans from 426 patients with neck pain.
  • Follow-up MRI scans were obtained for 64 patients after an average of 2.5 years.
  • Prevalence and types of MC were compared between baseline and follow-up scans.

Main Results:

  • Prevalence of MC type 1 slightly increased from 7.4% to 8.2%.
  • Prevalence of MC type 2 significantly increased from 14.5% to 22.3%.
  • New MC type 1 and type 2 segments were observed, with MC type 1 converting to MC type 2; no reverse conversion occurred.

Conclusions:

  • Modic changes in the cervical spine exhibit dynamic behavior.
  • Findings suggest cervical spine MC are a progressive phenomenon, similar to those observed in the lumbar spine.

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