Intervertebral Disc and Vertebral Endplate Changes Owing to Condoliase Intradiscal Injection Therapy-Quantitative Evaluation Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging Ultra-short TE-

<p>Introduction: There are several reports that quantitatively evaluated the effects of intradiscal injection therapy of condoliase on intervertebral discs and vertebral body endplates.</p><p>Methods: Eleven patients who underwent intradiscal injection therapy with condoliase and could undergo MRI UTE method for 1 year were enrolled. The intervertebral disc and vertebral endplate were evaluated by Pfirrmann classification, Endplate Classification and Score, respectively, and the T2* value of the intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus and vertebral cartilage endplate was measured. Intervertebral disc height measurements and the presence or absence of Modic changes were also evaluated.</p><p>Results: Intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus T2* values decreased after treatment with condoliase injections in eight cases and increased again in 3 weeks to 3 months after treatment. The intervertebral disc height decreased after treatment, and eight patients showed mild recovery from 3 months to 1 year after treatment. A negative correlation was observed between the rate of disc height reduction 1 year after treatment and the pretreatment disc nucleus pulposus T2* value. Vertebral cartilage endplate T2* values changed from 6 months to 1 year after treatment.</p><p>Conclusions: All patients who experienced a decrease in the intervertebral disc water content after condoliase treatment recovered to a mild degree. After the water content of the intervertebral disc recovered, the intervertebral disc height also slightly recovered. The changes in the vertebral cartilage endplates were considered as the result of intervertebral disc degeneration rather than the direct effect of condoliase.</p>