The relationship between quantitative measures of disc height and disc signal intensity with Pfirrmann score of disc degeneration

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Table 1 Pfirrmann disc degeneration grading system (Pfirrmann et al. 2001)

Score	Structure	Distinction of nucleus and annulus	Signal intensity	Intervertebral disc height
1	Homogeneous, bright white	Clear	Hyperintense, isointense to CSF	Normal
2	Inhomogeneous with or without horizontal bands	Clear	Hyperintense, isointense to CSF	Normal
3	Inhomogeneous, gray	Unclear	Intermediate	Normal to slightly decreased
4	Inhomogeneous, gray to black	Lost	Intermediate to hypointense	Normal to moderately decreased
5	Inhomogeneous, black	Lost	Hypointense	Collapsed disc space