RadEssentialReading-room reference
Modic endplate changes
Signal change in vertebral body marrow adjacent to degenerated discs.
| Type | T1 | T2 | Histology |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low | High | Edema, inflammation, fibrovascular tissue |
| 2 | High | Iso to high | Fatty marrow replacement |
| 3 | Low | Low | Subchondral sclerosis |
Type 1 can mimic discitis–osteomyelitis. Favor infection when the disc is T2 hyperintense and enhancing, endplates are eroded, and there is paraspinal or epidural soft tissue. DWI "claw sign" favors degenerative change.
Sources
- Modic MT, Steinberg PM, Ross JS, Masaryk TJ, Carter JR. Degenerative disk disease: assessment of changes in vertebral body marrow with MR imaging. Radiology. 1988;166:193–199.PubMed ↗
Radessential summarizes published classification systems for practicing radiologists. Summaries are condensed; confirm details against the cited source before relying on them for patient care.