Is there such a thing as black disc disease?

Abstract

The study of degenerative pathology of the intervertebral disc (IVD) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has generated such an extensive and ambiguous terminology that it causes confusion. The loss of the nucleus pulposus signal intensity (ISNP) in the T2 sequence of MRI, secondary to the early decrease in water content, is generally described as "black disc", a term spread as a synonym for degenerative disc disease. On the other hand, to designate a supposedly symptomatic dehydrated disc, the following names have been introduced: "painful black disc", "black disc syndrome" and "black disc disease". In this way, the physiological dehydration of the NP present in the entire population from the third decade on, is arbitrarily considered a presumed radiological marker of discogenic back pain, with the consequent risk of being the target of unnecessary interventions. Dehydrated discs suspected of being a source of pain present, in addition to the decrease in ISNP, other radiological signs such as a high intensity zone (HIZ) in the posterior part of the annulus fibrosus (AF), protrusion, loss of height or Modic changes.