Ultra-short echo time MR imaging in assessing cartilage endplate damage and relationship between its lesion and disc degeneration for chronic low back pain patients

Table 1 Six level of endplate in Rajasekaran grading system

Grade I	Normal endplate, with no interruptions.	No Modic changes
Grade II	Thinning of the endplate, no obvious break.
Grade III	Focal endplate defect with maintained endplate contour.
Grade IV	Endplate defects < 25% of the endplate area.	Associated with Modic changes
Grade V	Endplate defects up to 50% of the endplate area.
Grade VI	Extensive damaged endplate up to total destruction.

ISSN: 1471-2342