Key Points Pathologic changes seen in facet joint degeneration include fibrillation, joint space narrowing, articular cartilage thinning, subchondral bone sclerosis, osteophytosis, and development of juxta-facet cysts. Risk factors for facet joint degeneration include lower spinal level, increasing age, sagittal orientation,…
Key points Lumbar spinal stenosis is a complex disease with a plethora of clinical and imaging phenotypes. Developmental lumbar spinal stenosis is caused by mal-development of pedicles and posterior elements leading to narrowed bony spinal canals, and these patients are…
Key points Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a hyperostotic condition of the spine associated with severe neurologic deficits. The incidence is higher in East Asians. OPLL is a multifactorial disease caused by a combination of environmental and…
Key points Modic changes are subchondral and vertebral bone marrow changes in conjunction with intervertebral disc degeneration, and they are classified into three categories (types 1, 2, and 3) based on magnetic resonance imaging appearance. Modic changes, especially Modic type…
Key points The vertebral endplate is the key regulator of disc nutrient and oxygen transport. The endplate is composed of an inner bony and an outer cartilaginous layer in relation to the vertebra. Vertebral endplates are innervated so represent an…
Key points High-intensity zones (HIZs) represent a hyperintense signal on T2-weighted MRI in the region of the annulus fibrosus and can be used to represent annular tears. HIZs have variable biomechanics, epidemiology, and risk factors and are associated with or…
Key points Intervertebral disc displacement is not a “disease,” but is a component of many variations of disorders of the spine. The displaced disc material and the effects it creates must be carefully assessed and its origin sought by clinical…
Key points Disc space narrowing and osteophyte formation are features of the general spine condition known as intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration IVD degeneration is an age-related condition IVD degeneration is highly heritable The burden of IVD degeneration predicts the likelihood…
Key points The process of intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration consists of gradual structural and biochemical changes that may lead to pain and disability. IVD degeneration is multifaceted, mediated by biomechanical alterations, nutritional compromise, genetics, and environmental factors among others Various…
Key points Various imaging modalities exist to assess the intervertebral disc. Classification grading schemes have been proposed to assess the morphological and structural changes of the disc. Novel or nontraditional imaging platforms have been developed to assess early disc changes,…