Spinal Modic Changes Modic changes on MRI

Spinal Modic changes describe degenerative vertebral endplate marrow abnormalities.

• Type 1 (edema) appears hypointense on T1 and hyperintense on T2/STIR.

• Type 2 (fatty degeneration) is hyperintense on both T1 and T2, but suppresses on STIR.

• Type 3 (subchondral bone sclerosis) is hypointense on both T1 and T2 sequences.

Recognizing these patterns helps distinguish degenerative changes from active infections like discitis-osteomyelitis.