High-intensity zone, intradiscal electrothermal therapy, and magnetic resonance imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging changes to the symptomatic intervertebral disc following intradiscal electrothermal therapy were determined in this prospective study. Magnetic resonance images before the intradiscal electrothermal therapy procedure were compared with those taken at 6 months postprocedure in 10 patients. The presence and absence of high-intensity zone, the disc height and hydration, and Modic changes were determined from the images. In six of the 10 patients, a high-intensity zone was present on the magnetic resonance images of the disc before the intradiscal electrothermal therapy procedure. In all six patients, a high-intensity zone was still present after the procedure. In all 10 patients, there were no changes to other disc parameters assessed. Our findings question the clinical relevance of the high-intensity zone. They also suggest that the main mechanism of action of intradiscal electrothermal therapy may be other than that of sealing the anular tear.