Modic type II changes
Modic type II changes (high SI on T1W and T2W images) reflect fatty replacement of adjacent marrow.
MRI appearance: hyperintense on T1, iso-hyperintense on T2
Less clearly associated with low back pain and seem to indicate a more biomechanically stable state. Superimposed stress may cause reversion to type I.
In the cervical region Modic-2 changes at adjacent level at baseline does not affect fusion rate or clinical outcome based on functional status but could negatively impact axial symptoms intensity and ASD, compared to patients without Modic-2 changes 1).
1)
Li J, Lei T, Shen Y. The Impact of Modic-2 changes on the clinical outcomes of
single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Eur Spine J. 2015 Jul 28.
[Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 26215179.