The Impact of Vertebral End Plate Lesions on the Radiological Outcome in Oblique Lateral Interbody Fusion

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. OBJECTIVES: Vertebral end plate (EP) lesions include Modic changes, Schmorl’s nodes, EP erosion, EP sclerosis, and so on. While previous studies have mostly focused on the association between vertebral EP lesions and low back pain, few studies evaluated the influence of vertebral EP lesions on the radiological outcomes in lumbar interbody fusion. METHODS: This study included a total of 125 operated disc levels from 86 consecutive patients who underwent a 1- or 2-level oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) and had more than 1-year regular follow-up. The presence of vertebral EP lesions, changes in disc heights/angle, cage subsidence, and fusion grade were examined. The associations between vertebral EP lesions and radiological parameters were analyzed. RESULT: The presence of Modic changes, Schmorl’s node, EP cartilage erosion, and EP sclerosis were found in 72 (57.6%), 26 (20.8%), 31 (24.8%), and 44 (35.2%) disc levels, respectively. The mean anterior disc height increased from 6.9 ± 3.8 mm to 13.1 ± 2.7 mm (P < .001) and the mean segmental angle increased from 2.9° ± 5.8° to 9.2° ± 4.8° (P < .001) at the last follow-up. The overall fusion rate was 98.4% (123/125) and cage subsidence rate was 7.2% (9/125). All radiological parameters and cage subsidence rate were not different regardless of vertebral EP lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Vertebral EP lesions did not affect the overall radiological outcome in 1- or 2-level OLIF. These results come from the stable contact between lateral cage and peripheral rim of vertebral EP.