Cartilaginous Endplate Damage May be a Root Pathology Underlying Modic Changes on Lumbar Spine MR Images.

Study Design: Rabbit model study.

Objective: To examine whether cartilaginous endplate (CEP) destruction leads to endplate and vertebral marrow signal changes (Modic changes, MCs) on MR images.

Methods: Sixteen adult rabbits were used in the study and underwent an anterolateral procedure to expose the L2-6 intervertebral discs.

Are paraspinal muscle morphology and composition associated with lumbar spinal stenosis? A systematic review.

Background: There has been increasing interest in associations between paraspinal muscle phenotypes and common spinal disorders, including lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). However, the relation of paraspinal muscle morphology and composition with LSS is unclear.

Objectives: To provide a systematic overview and synthesis of current evidence on the association of paraspinal muscle morphology and composition with LSS presence, pain and disability or function.

Implementation of back to living well, a community-based program for the tertiary prevention of low back pain: a study protocol.

Background: The current literature supports the effectiveness of exercise, education, and self-management interventions for the long-term management of persistent low back pain. However, there is significant uncertainty about the implementation of interventions related to barriers, facilitators, and patient's preferences. This study will evaluate the Back to Living Well program implementation from a participant and organizational perspective.

Lumbar foraminal stenosis was associated with back pain and leg pain: epidemiological evidence from a population-based cohort.

Objectives: To determine the characteristics of lumbar foraminal stenosis (LFS) on magnetic resonance (MR) images and their association with back pain and radiating leg pain in a population-based sample of Chinese subjects.

Methods: This study was an extension of the Hangzhou Lumbar Spine Study, a cross-sectional study focusing on back pain and lumbar spine MR imaging findings. Questionnaire data, including demographics, lifestyle, occupational exposures, back pain and radiating leg pain were included.

Spatiotemporal changes in imaging features associated with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH).

Objectives: The purpose of our study was to characterise spatiotemporal features of disease progression in people with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), early-phase DISH, and those not meeting either criterion who had repeated CT scans of the thoracic spine.

Methods: A retrospective study was designed in collaboration with the to evaluate completeness of ectopic bridging across the thoracic spine and corresponding disease status over an average of 2.7 years (range from 0.

Detection and Characterization of Endplate Structural Defects on CT: A Diagnostic Accuracy Study.

Study Design: Diagnostic test study.

Objective: To determine the reliability and validity or diagnostic accuracy of two previously described endplate structural defect (EPSD) assessment methods.

Summary Of Background Data: Studies of EPSD may further the understanding of pathoanatomic mechanisms underlying back pain.

Depression as a prognostic factor for lumbar spinal stenosis outcomes: a systematic review.

Purpose: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is associated with increased levels of psychological distress, including depression; however, the prognostic value of depression remains unclear. The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesize the evidence on the prognostic value of depression for a range of outcomes in patients with LSS.

Methods: Inclusion criteria were prospective cohort studies that investigated depression in patients diagnosed with LSS.

Thoracolumbar Vertebral Endplate Defect Morphology: A Descriptive Study of Human Cadaveric Spines Using Micro-Computed Tomography.

Study Design: A descriptive, cross-sectional cadaver study.

Objective: This study aimed to provide a thorough depiction of vertebral endplate defects classified based on their morphologic features and reported with respect to size, location, and prevalence in the human cadaveric spines of older adults.

Summary Of Background Data: Back pain has been associated with vertebral endplate defects; however, findings have been inconsistent.

Bone-GAN: Generation of virtual bone microstructure of high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography.

Background: Data-driven development of medical biomarkers of bone requires a large amount of image data but physical measurements are generally too restricted in size and quality to perform a robust training.

Purpose: This study aims to provide a reliable in silico method for the generation of realistic bone microstructure with defined microarchitectural properties. Synthetic bone samples may improve training of neural networks and serve for the development of new diagnostic parameters of bone architecture and mineralization.

Lumbar disc herniation in juveniles: A case-control study of MRI characteristics and etiological insights.

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is rare in juveniles. LDH occurring at age 20 years or younger is referred to as juvenile disc herniation (JDH). While adult LDH is regarded as an advanced stage of disc degeneration, it remains unclear why intervertebral discs rupture in youth.

Back to the Future: A Report From the 16th International Forum for Back and Neck Pain Research in Primary Care and Updated Research Agenda.

Study Design: The 16th meeting of the International Forum for Back and Neck Pain Research in Primary Care was held in Québec City in July 2019 under the theme of innovation. This paper addresses the state of research in the field.

Objective: To ascertain the evolution of knowledge and clinical application in back and neck pain and identify shifting research priorities.

Consensus on a standardised treatment pathway algorithm for lumbar spinal stenosis: an international Delphi study.

Background: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common degenerative spinal condition in older adults associated with disability, diminished quality of life, and substantial healthcare costs. Individual symptoms and needs vary. With sparse and sometimes inconsistent evidence to guide clinical decision-making, variable clinical care may lead to unsatisfactory patient outcomes and inefficient use of healthcare resources.

The association between whole body vibration exposure and spine degeneration on imaging: A systematic review.

Background: Low frequency vibrations from motorized vehicles and heavy equipment have been associated with musculoskeletal disorders. Spine degeneration on diagnostic imaging provides direct and objective measures of the possible effects of such exposures on the spine.

Objective: The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the association of exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) with spine degeneration on imaging.

Use of machine learning to select texture features in investigating the effects of axial loading on T-maps from magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar discs.

Background: Recent advances in texture analysis and machine learning offer new opportunities to improve the application of imaging to intervertebral disc biomechanics. This study employed texture analysis and machine learning on MRIs to investigate the lumbar disc's response to loading.

Methods: Thirty-five volunteers (30 (SD 11) yrs.

Traumatic vertebra and endplate fractures promote adjacent disc degeneration: evidence from a clinical MR follow-up study.

Objectives: The integrity of endplate is important for maintaining the health of adjacent disc and trabeculae. Yet, pathological impacts of traumatic vertebra and endplate fractures were less studied using clinical approaches. This study aims to investigate their effects on the development of adjacent disc degeneration, segmental kyphosis, Modic changes (MCs), and high-intensity zones (HIZs).

Paraspinal muscle imaging measurements for common spinal disorders: review and consensus-based recommendations from the ISSLS degenerative spinal phenotypes group.

Purpose: Paraspinal muscle imaging is of growing interest related to improved phenotyping, prognosis, and treatment of common spinal disorders. We reviewed issues related to paraspinal muscle imaging measurement that contribute to inconsistent findings between studies and impede understanding.

Methods: Three key contributors to inconsistencies among studies of paraspinal muscle imaging measurements were reviewed: failure to consider possible mechanisms underlying changes in paraspinal muscles, lack of control of confounding factors, and variations in spinal muscle imaging modalities and measurement protocols.

Reliability and validity of subjective radiologist reporting of temporal changes in lumbar spine MRI findings.

Background: The importance of lumbar findings on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remains controversial. Changes in lumbar MRI findings over time may provide important insights into the causes of low back pain. However, the reliability and validity of temporal changes are unknown.

Statistical morphological analysis reveals characteristic paraspinal muscle asymmetry in unilateral lumbar disc herniation.

Growing evidence suggests an association of lumbar paraspinal muscle morphology with low back pain (LBP) and lumbar pathologies. Unilateral spinal disorders provide unique models to study this association, with implications for diagnosis, prognosis, and management. Statistical shape analysis is a technique that can identify signature shape variations related to phenotypes but has never been employed in studying paraspinal muscle morphology.

Back to living well: community-based management of low back pain: a feasibility study.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a long-term health condition with an unpredictable pattern of symptomatic episodes, remission, and recurrence. Recently published systematic reviews suggest that exercise is the most effective intervention for preventing recurrences of LBP in persons that have recovered. Similar programs may also be effective in preventing flare-ups in persistent LBP.

The association between vertebral endplate structural defects and back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To clarify the current state of knowledge on the association of endplate structural defects and back pain.

Methods: Five databases were searched for studies reporting on the association between endplate structural defects and back pain. Covidence and comprehensive meta-analysis software were used for article screening and selection and pooling of extracted data.

Cartilaginous endplate avulsion is associated with modic changes and endplate defects, and residual back and leg pain following lumbar discectomy.

Objective: While cartilaginous endplate (CEP) avulsion is a common finding in discectomy due to lumbar disc herniation, its roles in residual back and leg pain, associations with Modic changes (MCs) and endplate defects (EPD) remain unknown.

Design: Patients with a single-level lumbar disc herniation who underwent endoscopic discectomy were studied. On MR images, the adjacent endplates of the herniated disc were assessed for MCs and EPD.

The effects of axial loading on the morphometric and T characteristics of lumbar discs in relation to disc degeneration.

Background: Intervertebral disc degeneration affects the morphology, biomechanics and biochemistry of the disc. The study aimed to compare the effects of compression and traction on lumbar discs measurements in relation to degeneration.

Methods: Thirty-five volunteers (30 (SD 11) yrs.

Innervation of the Human Intervertebral Disc: A Scoping Review.

Objective: Back pain is an elusive symptom complicated by a variety of possible causes, precipitating and maintaining factors, and consequences. Notably, the underlying pathology remains unknown in a significant number of cases. Changes to the intervertebral disc (IVD) have been associated with back pain, leading many to postulate that the IVD may be a direct source of pain, typically referred to as discogenic back pain.

Vascularization of the human intervertebral disc: A scoping review.

Intervertebral discs (IVDs) are often referred to as the largest avascular structures of the human body, yet a collective resource characterizing the vascularization of the IVD does not exist. To address this gap, the objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive search of the literature to review and summarize current knowledge of the prevalence and localization of blood supply in human IVDs, with a scoping review. A comprehensive search of peer-reviewed publications on the topic of IVD vascularization in humans was conducted across six electronic databases: PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and BIOSIS Previews.