Cervical Disc Degeneration and Vertebral Endplate Defects After the Fused Operation.

STUDY DESIGN

Longitudinal study of cervical MR in patients with degenerative disc disease (DDD).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the evolution of the degenerative changes in the C2-D1 cervical segments and to assess the association magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters with clinical symptoms after surgical treatment in patients with DDD.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

The evolution of degenerative changes in the cervical spine is poorly understood. Endplate defects can be of great importance in progressive disc degeneration (DD). Clarification of this predictor may be important in determining the treatment tactics in patients with DDD.

METHODS

The study included patients who had 2-years' follow-up after cervical fusion for spondylotic radiculo- with/without myelopathy. Demographic data (age, sex, surgical data) were assessed; clinical data (visual analogue scale [VAS] neck, VAS arm, Neck Disability Index [NDI]) and cervical MRI (DD grades by Pfirrmann, Modic changes (MC), total endplate scores (TEPS) were compared to preoperative data.

RESULTS

The median follow-up term was 26.5 (18.9-33.1) months. All patients reported a decrease neck pain and arm pain at follow-up (P < 0.001). There was observed the change in MC types (P < 0.001) and an increase of TEPS (P < 0.05). 71.7% discs remained unchanged during the follow-up, but a significant number of discs went from Grade 2 to Grade 3 and from Grade 3 to Grade 4 by Pfirrmann (P < 0.001). Clinical scores (VAS neck, VAS arm, NDI) had no correlation with MRI changes (P > 0.05). DD was associated with TEPS (odds ratio [OR] 2.05-5.47, P < 0.05) and patients' age (OR 1.11-2.33, P < 0.05) at all cervical levels; with MC types, but only at C4-C5 and C6-C7 levels (OR = 2.91 and 2.79, respectively, P < 0.05). Receiver-operating characteristic analysis showed a TEPS threshold value of 7, above which the probability of DD significantly higher.

CONCLUSION

During 2 years' follow-up the significant increase of DD grades by Pfirrmann was observed at C4-C6 levels (P < 0.001). A significant association DD with TEPS and age at all cervical levels was determined.Level of Evidence: 3.