Vertebral Endplate Defects Induced Mechanical Alterations and Disc Calcification.

Study Design: Cross sectional comparative study.

Objectives: The current study aims to explore the calcification potential (BMP2 expression) of intervertebral discs and its association with the presence of vertebral endplate defects visible on MRI.

Methods: Forty-seven herniated lumbar disc samples obtained from patients aged 20-76 (31 M/16F) undergoing surgery. Five-µm thin sections were stained with H&E in order to assign a histological degeneration score (HDS) from 0-15 on the basis of cell density (0-5), structural alterations (0-4), granular changes (0-3) and mucus degeneration (0-3). Sections were immuno-stained with anti BMP-2 antibodies to observe the calcification potential in these discs. In addition, pre-operativeT2-T1 W MRI images of the lumbar spine were analyzed for the presence and type (typical or atypical) of vertebral endplate defects, grade of disc degeneration (Pfirrmann grade I-V), presence of high intensity zones (HIZ), and Modic changes at the operated level.

Results: Vertebral endplate defects, Modic changes & HIZ were observed in 81%, 29% and 21% of patients respectively. Mean HDS & BMP-2 expression was 9 ± 2 and mean 71 ± 36 spots/mm respectively. Discs with adjacent vertebral endplate defects showed increased cell density ( = .004), mucus degeneration ( = .002), HDS ( = .01) and BMP-2 expression ( = .01). Discs with HIZ also had increased HDS, but significance was seen with increased BMP2 expression ( = .006). HDS showed a positive correlation with BMP 2 expression (r = .30, = .04).

Conclusion: These findings suggest that the altered mechanical environment of discs is strongly associated with BMP-2 expression which is an important marker of intervertebral disc calcification.