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. 2024 Feb 7:11:1296275.
doi: 10.3389/fsurg.2024.1296275. eCollection 2024.

Study and analysis of the correlation between lumbar spondylolisthesis and Modic changes

Guang-Qing Li  1 , Xiao Kang  1 , Wei Li  2 , Shi-Shen Pei  1
Affiliations

Study and analysis of the correlation between lumbar spondylolisthesis and Modic changes

Guang-Qing Li et al. Front Surg. .

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to explore the risk factors of Modic changes in lumbar spondylolisthesis.

Methods: The distribution of Modic changes in different types of lumbar spondylolisthesis, degree of spondylolisthesis, and degree of intervertebral disc degeneration in patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis was observed and analyzed. Statistical analysis was conducted to assess whether intervertebral disc degeneration, local mechanical changes, etc. affect the occurrence of Modic changes. The risk factors of Modic changes in lumbar spondylolisthesis were further illustrated.

Results: The age in the lumbar spondylolisthesis with Modic changes group was younger than that in the lumbar spondylolisthesis without Modic changes group, and the bone mineral density was better in the lumbar spondylolisthesis with Modic changes group than that in the lumbar spondylolisthesis without Modic changes group, P < 0.05. The two groups statistically differed in intervertebral disc height (IDH) and disc angle on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In the classification of Modic changes, the incidence of type II was the highest. The incidence of Modic changes is higher in isthmic spondylolisthesis than in degenerative spondylolisthesis. With the aggravation of lumbar spondylolisthesis and intervertebral disc degeneration, the incidence of Modic changes gradually increased. Modic changes are most commonly seen in both the upper and lower endplates. Logistic regression analysis showed that the occurrence of Modic changes in lumbar spondylolisthesis was significantly correlated with IDH, disc angle on MRI, type of spondylolisthesis, degree of spondylolisthesis, and degree of intervertebral disc degeneration, P < 0.05.

Conclusions: The occurrence of Modic changes is related to the type of spondylolisthesis, the degree of spondylolisthesis, the degree of disc degeneration, the decrease of intervertebral disc height, and local stress angulation.

Keywords: Modic changes; intervertebral disc degeneration; lumbar spondylolisthesis; stress concentration effect; stress-induced angle.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
IDH = (Ha + Hb)/(La + Lb).
Figure 2
Figure 2
L4 was grade I spondylolisthesis, and MDA was the angle between L4 and L5 on MRI.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Stress concentration diagram. (A) The MDA angle is in the rear, plus its own gravity, and Modic changes often appear in the posterior region of the vertebral body. (B) MDA angulation is in the front, and Modic changes often appear in the anterior region of the vertebral body. (C) There is no obvious angulation in the spondylolisthesis area, but the intervertebral disc has obvious degeneration, and the intervertebral disc height is significantly reduced. Modic changes are prone to occur in the area opposite the center of the two vertebral bodies, usually type III Modic changes.
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