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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2022 Jul 1.
Published in final edited form as: Spine J. 2021 Mar 5;21(7):1205–1216. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2021.03.002

Table 1:

Pfirrmann Classification of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Grade Structure Distinction of Nucleus and Anulus Signal Intensity Height of Intervertebral Disc
I Homogenous, bright white Clear Hyperintense, isointense to cerebrospinal fluid Normal
II Inhomogenous with or without horizontal bands Clear Hyperintense, isointense to cerebrospinal fluid Normal
III Inhomogenous, gray Unclear Intermediate Normal to slightly decreased
IV Inhomogenous, gray to black Lost Intermediate to hypointense Normal to moderately decreased
V Inhomogenous, black Lost Hypointense Collapsed disc space