Different spinal subtypes with varying characteristics of lumbar disc degeneration at specific level with age: a study based on an asymptomatic population

Table 1 Disc degeneration grading according to Pfirrmann et al.

Grade	Structure	Distinction of nucleus and anulus	Signal intensity	Intervertebral disc height
I	Homogeneous, bright white	Clear	Hyperintense, isointense to cerebrospinal fluid	Normal
II	Heterogeneous with or without horizontal bands	Clear	Hyperintense, isointense to cerebrospinal fluid	Normal
III	Heterogeneous, gray	Unclear	Intermediate	Normal to slightly decreased
IV	Heterogeneous, gray to black	Lost	Intermediate to hypointense	Normal to moderately decreased
V	Heterogeneous, black	Lost	Hypointense	Collapsed disc space

ISSN: 1749-799X