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Astur N, Martins DE, Kanas M, Doi AM, Martino MDV, Filho ENK, Wajchenberg M, Lenza M. Bacterial identification in herniated intervertebral discs: a prospective cohort study. Spine J 2024; 24:1910-1921. [PMID: 38843958 DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2024.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CONTEXT Reports of Cutibacterium acnes isolated in cultures of intervertebral disc samples suggest it as possibly responsible for inflammatory conditions causing Modic changes on spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). PURPOSE Our objective was to investigate the prevalence of C. acnes in samples of intervertebral disc of patients with lumbar disc herniation; to investigate prognostic factors and the relationship of Modic changes with infection 1 year after microdiscectomy. STUDY DESIGN Prospective cohort study. PATIENT SAMPLE In this single-center study, patients consecutively operated on for disc herniation had samples of the disc, multifidus muscle and ligamentum flavum (as an indication of contamination) extracted for culture. OUTCOME MEASURES Age, sex, alcohol and tobacco consumption, body mass index; function, pain, and Modic chances in MRI before surgery and MRI 1 year later; rate of disc, muscle and ligament infection (primary outcome); diabetes and corticoid use (confoundings). METHODS The protruded disc, muscle and ligament samples were sent for culture analysis in up to 30 minutes. A subsample of 17 patients underwent next-generation sequencing (NGS) molecular analysis too. We performed descriptive analysis and comparison of groups of patients with and without infection or contamination using Student's t, Mann-Whitney, chi-square, or Fisher's exact tests as appropriate, and pre- and postsurgical comparisons with the Wilcoxon test. RESULTS From January 2018 to September 2019, 112 patients underwent open lumbar microdiscectomy, 67 (59.8%) men. Cultures showed 7 (6.3%) positive cases in the disc (2 with C. acnes), 3 (2.7%) in the ligament, and 12 (10, 7%) in muscle. No evidence of a difference in Modic alterations pre- or postoperatively was found between patients with and without positive culture 1 year after surgery. No association was found between culture positivity and functional or pain differences either. NGS results were all negative for C. acnes. CONCLUSIONS We identified infective bacterial presence in the herniated disc in less than 2% of patients with disc herniation. C. acnes was not identified in any disc microbiome analysis. No significant association was observed between positivity for tissue infection and any clinical prognostic factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelson Astur
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Delio Eulalio Martins
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Michel Kanas
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - André Mario Doi
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Marcelo Wajchenberg
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mario Lenza
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
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Furtado ARR, Moris LM, Esmieu S, Cherubini GB, Mantis P. Low-field magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of multifocal vertebral lesions in dogs. Vet Rec 2021; 189:e78. [PMID: 34505679 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.78] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a lack of information regarding magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of polyostotic vertebral lesions in dogs. The aim of this retrospective study was to identify and differenciate low-field MRI features of aggressive versus benign multifocal vertebral diseases in dogs. METHODS MRI examinations from 49 dogs with polyostotic vertebral lesions were reviewed. Images were evaluated for vertebral intensity changes, expansile lesions, new bone formation, cortical bone interruption, paravertebral musculature changes, lymphadenomegaly, spinal cord compression and spinal cord signal changes. RESULTS Twenty-nine dogs with non-aggressive bone lesions and 20 dogs with aggressive vertebral lesions were included. Non-aggressive lesions had variable T2-weighted fast spin-echo (T2W) signal intensity and the majority displayed low signal intensity on short tau inversion recovery (STIR). Aggressive lesions predominantly had high T2W and STIR signal intensity, with variable signal intensity on T1-weighted spin-echo and contrast enhancement. Aggressive lesions were associated with spinal pain (p < 0.01), new bone formation (p = 0.02), spinal cord compression (p < 0.01) and lymphadenomegaly (p < 0.01). Cortical interruption (p < 0.01) and paravertebral musculature changes (p < 0.01) were the strongest indicative imaging features for aggressive lesions. CONCLUSION Spinal pain, spinal cord compression, new bone formation, lymphadenomegaly and especially cortical interruption and paravertebral musculature signal intensity changes were the best discriminators for differentiating malignant from benign vertebral lesions.
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Gilligan CJ, Cohen SP, Fischetti VA, Hirsch JA, Czaplewski LG. Chronic low back pain, bacterial infection and treatment with antibiotics. Spine J 2021; 21:903-914. [PMID: 33610802 DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2021.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The contribution of bacterial infection to chronic low back pain and its treatment with antibiotics have generated considerable controversy in literature. If efficacious, antibiotics have the potential to transform the treatment of chronic low back pain in a significant subset of patients. Some microbiology studies of disc tissue from patients with CLBP have shown that bacteria are present, most likely due to infection, while others conclude they are absent or if found, it is due to surgical contamination. Clinical studies testing the efficacy of oral antibiotics to treat CLBP have either shown that the treatment is efficacious leading to significantly reduced pain and disability or that their effect is modest and not clinically significant. Critical review of the literature on CLBP, bacterial infection and treatment with antibiotics identified five well-designed and executed microbiology studies characterizing bacteria in disc samples that demonstrate that bacteria do infect herniated disc tissue, but that the bacterial burden is low and may be below the limits of detection in some studies. Two randomized, controlled clinical trials evaluating oral antibiotics in patients with CLBP indicate that for certain subsets of patients, the reduction in pain and disability achieved with antibiotic therapy may be significant. In patients for whom other therapies have failed, and who might otherwise progress to disc replacement or fusion surgery, antibiotic therapy may well be an attractive option to reduce the individual suffering associated with this debilitating condition. Additional clinical research is recommended to refine the selection of patients with CLBP caused or complicated by bacterial infection and most likely to respond to antibiotics, to optimize antibiotic therapy to maximize patient benefit, to minimize and manage side effects, and to address legitimate concerns about antibiotic stewardship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Gilligan
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Steven P Cohen
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 550 N. Broadway, Ste 301, Baltimore, MD 21029, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, MD 20889, USA
| | - Vincent A Fischetti
- Laboratory of Bacterial Pathogenesis and Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Joshua A Hirsch
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Lloyd G Czaplewski
- Persica Pharmaceuticals Ltd, 7 Denne Hill Business Centre, Womenswold, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 6HD, UK.
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Athertya JS, Saravana Kumar G. Classification of certain vertebral degenerations using MRI image features. Biomed Phys Eng Express 2021; 7. [PMID: 33984847 DOI: 10.1088/2057-1976/ac00d2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE This article describes a fully automatic system for classifying various spinal degenerative phenotypes namely Modic changes, endplate defects and focal changes which are associated with lower back pain. These are obtained from T1/T2 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans. Lower back pain is a predominantly occurring ailment, which is prone to have various roots including the anatomical and pathophysciological aspects. Clinicians and radiologist use MRI to assess and evaluate the extent of damage, cause, and to decide on the future course of treatment. In large healthcare systems, to circumvent the manual reading of various image slices, we describe a system to automate the classification of various vertebral degeneracies that cause lower back pain. METHODS We implement a combination of feature extraction, image analysis based on geometry and classification using machine learning techniques for identifying vertebral degeneracies. Image features like local binary pattern, Hu's moments and gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) based features are extracted to identify Modic changes, endplate defects, and presence of any focal changes. A combination of feature set is used for describing the extent of Modic change on the end plate. Feature sensitivity studies towards efficient classification is presented. A STIR based acute/chronic classification is also attempted in the current work. RESULTS The implemented method is tested and validated over a dataset containing 100 patients. The proposed framework for detecting the extent of Modic change achieves an accuracy of 85.91%. From the feature sensitivity analysis, it is revealed that entropy based measure obtained from gray level co-occurrence matrix alone is sufficient for detection of focal changes. The classification performance for detecting endplate defect is highly sensitive to the first 2 Hu's moments. CONCLUSION A novel approach to identify the allied vertebral degenerations and extent of Modic changes in vertebrae by exploiting image features and classification through machine learning is proposed. This shall assist radiologists in detecting abnormalities and in treatment planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyo S Athertya
- Department of Engineering Design, IIT - Madras, Chennai-600036, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - G Saravana Kumar
- Department of Engineering Design Indian Institute of Technology, Madras Chennai-600036, Tamil Nadu, India
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Manniche C, Hall GM. Chronic low back pain, Modic changes and low-grade virulent infection: efficacy of antibiotic treatment. Future Sci OA 2021; 7:FSO703. [PMID: 34046205 PMCID: PMC8147823 DOI: 10.2144/fsoa-2021-0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic low back pain (CLBP) has consistently been associated with the longest number of years lived with a disability in global studies, while commonly used treatments for CLBP are largely ineffective. In 2013 a randomized, double-blind, controlled study demonstrated significant improvements in CLBP patients demonstrating Modic changes type 1 on their MRI scans and undergoing long-term oral antibiotic treatment (100 days). Much of the ensuing debate has focused on whether this was a true infection or contamination. Newer and more advanced technologies clearly point to an ongoing low-grade infection. We have reviewed all of the clinical trials published in the recent past and conclude that there is compelling evidence for the effect of long-term oral antibiotic treatment for this patient group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claus Manniche
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Ota Y, Connolly M, Srinivasan A, Kim J, Capizzano AA, Moritani T. Mechanisms and Origins of Spinal Pain: from Molecules to Anatomy, with Diagnostic Clues and Imaging Findings. Radiographics 2020; 40:1163-1181. [DOI: 10.1148/rg.2020190185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiaki Ota
- From the Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, UH B2, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Michael Connolly
- From the Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, UH B2, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Ashok Srinivasan
- From the Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, UH B2, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - John Kim
- From the Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, UH B2, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Aristides A. Capizzano
- From the Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, UH B2, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Toshio Moritani
- From the Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, UH B2, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
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Gudin J, Kaufman AG, Datta S. Are Opioids Needed to Treat Chronic Low Back Pain? A Review of Treatment Options and Analgesics in Development. J Pain Res 2020; 13:1007-1022. [PMID: 32523371 PMCID: PMC7234959 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s226483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The continued prevalence of chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a testament to our lack of understanding of the potential causes, leading to significant treatment challenges. CLBP is the leading cause of years lived with disability and the fifth leading cause of disability-adjusted life-years. No single non-pharmacologic, pharmacologic, or interventional therapy has proven effective as treatment for the majority of patients with CLBP. Although non-pharmacologic therapies are generally helpful, they are often ineffective as monotherapy and many patients lack adequate access to these treatments. Noninvasive treatment measures supported by evidence include physical and chiropractic therapy, yoga, acupuncture, and non-opioid and opioid pharmacologic therapy; data suggest a moderate benefit, at most, for any of these therapies. Until our understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment of CLBP advances, clinicians must continue to utilize rational multimodal treatment protocols. Recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for opioid prescribing recommend that opioids not be utilized as first-line therapy and to limit the doses when possible for fear of bothersome or dangerous adverse effects. In combination with the current opioid crisis, this has caused providers to minimize or eliminate opioid therapy when treating patients with chronic pain, leaving many patients suffering despite optimal nonopioid therapies. Therefore, there remains an unmet need for effective and tolerable opioid receptor agonists for the treatment of CLBP with improved safety properties over legacy opioids. There are several such agents in development, including opioids and other agents with novel mechanisms of action. This review critiques non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment modalities for CLBP and examines the potential of novel opioids and other analgesics that may be a useful addition to the treatment options for patients with chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Gudin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.,Department of Anesthesiology, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, Englewood, NJ, USA
| | - Andrew G Kaufman
- Department of Anesthesiology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Samyadev Datta
- Department of Anesthesiology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.,Center for Pain Management, Hackensack, NJ, USA
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New insights link low-virulent disc infections to the etiology of severe disc degeneration and Modic changes. Future Sci OA 2019. [DOI: 10.4155/fsoa-2019-0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
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Manniche C, O'Neill S. New insights link low-virulent disc infections to the etiology of severe disc degeneration and Modic changes. Future Sci OA 2019; 5:FSO389. [PMID: 31245043 PMCID: PMC6554696 DOI: 10.2144/fsoa-2019-0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Within the last 5 years, international research collaborations including those of several research groups skilled in microbiology, immunology and pathophysiology, have identified a low-virulent intradiscal infection with the ability to provoke gradual and progressive disc degeneration, end-plate disruption, Modic changes and persistent clinical lower-back pain. Certain strains of the Propionibacterium acne bacterium seem able to invade, colonize and develop a protective biofilm inside the disc. The interaction of P. acne, disc tissues and mononuclear cells of the bone marrow are shown to trigger a relevant immunological response and an ensuing destructive inflammation of the disc and adjacent vertebrae. This process presents on MRI as Modic changes. Recent proof-of-concept data provide compelling evidence for this bacterial disc infection hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claus Manniche
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Odense University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark.,Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Odense University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Søren O'Neill
- Spinecenter of Southern Denmark, Lillebaelt Hospital, Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark.,Spinecenter of Southern Denmark, Lillebaelt Hospital, Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
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Transforaminal Epiduroscopic Basivertebral Nerve Laser Ablation for Chronic Low Back Pain Associated with Modic Changes: A Preliminary Open-Label Study. Pain Res Manag 2018; 2018:6857983. [PMID: 30186540 PMCID: PMC6112211 DOI: 10.1155/2018/6857983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Revised: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Background Chronic low back pain (CLBP) arising from degenerative disc disease continues to be a challenging clinical and diagnostic problem whether treated with nonsurgical, pain intervention, or motion-preserving stabilization and arthrodesis. Methods Fourteen patients with CLBP, greater than 6 months, unresponsive to at least 4 months of conservative care were enrolled. All patients were treated successfully following screening using MRI findings of Modic type I or II changes and positive confirmatory provocative discography to determine the affected levels. All patients underwent ablation of the basivertebral nerve (BVN) using 1414 nm Nd:YAG laser-assisted energy guided in a transforaminal epiduroscopic approach. Macnab's criteria and visual analog scale (VAS) score were collected retrospectively at each follow-up interval. Results The mean age was 46 ± 9.95 years. The mean symptoms duration was 21.21 ± 21.87 months. The mean follow-up was 15.3 ± 2.67 months. The preoperative VAS score of 7.79 ± 0.97 changed to 1.92 ± 1.38, postoperatively (P < 0.01). As per Macnab's criteria, seven patients (50%) had excellent, six patients (42.85%) had good, and one patient (7.14%) had fair outcomes. Conclusion The transforaminal epiduroscopic basivertebral nerve laser ablation (TEBLA) appears to be a promising option in carefully selected patients with CLBP associated with the Modic changes.
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Romero-Muñoz L, Barriga-Martín A, Segura-Fragoso A, Martín-González C. Are Modic changes in patients with chronic low back pain indicative of a worse clinical course? 10 years of follow-up. Rev Esp Cir Ortop Traumatol (Engl Ed) 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.recote.2018.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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Are Modic changes in patients with chronic low back pain indicative of a worse clinical course? 10 years of follow-up. Rev Esp Cir Ortop Traumatol (Engl Ed) 2018; 62:274-281. [PMID: 29615369 DOI: 10.1016/j.recot.2018.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Establish the long-term (10 years) predictive value of Modic changes in the course of lumbar pain and the need for surgical treatment. MATERIAL AND METHOD Observational longitudinal prospective cohort study. Comparison of progression at 10 years of 2 groups of patients with chronic lumbar pain: group A with Modic changes in MRI and group B with no Modic changes. EXCLUSION CRITERIA neoplasia, inflammatory or infectious diseases, or previous surgery. Assessment was done with the aid of the VAS for low lumbar and radicular pain and the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire. The need for surgical or medical treatment and occupational disability during the study period was analyzed. For the statistical analyses, the Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regression were applied. RESULTS Seventy patients, 24 male and 46 female, with a mean age of 56.5 years (35 in each group) were included in the study. No statistically significant differences in the intensity of lumbar pain, degree of impairment, or need for medical or surgical treatment (P>.05) were found in patients with Modic changes types 1, 2, or 3 between the baseline assessment and 10 years after. No statistically significant differences between patients with/without changes in Modic at 10 years of follow-up (P>.05) were determined. CONCLUSIONS There is no relationship between Modic changes in MRI and greater intensity of lumbar pain or need for medical or surgical treatment at 10 years of follow-up. Modic changes cannot be considered a sign of bad prognosis by themselves, or an indication for surgery.
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Welcome to volume 4 of Future Science OA. Future Sci OA 2017; 4:FSO261. [PMID: 29255629 PMCID: PMC5729593 DOI: 10.4155/fsoa-2017-0111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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