Abstract: Objective To assess the correlation between vertebral body deformity and degeneration of the adjacent intervertebral
discs in patients with old thoracolumbar compression fractures. Methods Seventy-one patients who had been conservatively
treated after single segment thoracolumbar compression fractures between April, 2011 and May, 2014 were enrolled in this
study. Both radiographic and magnetic resonance (MR) images of the thoracolumbar segment were obtained. The involved
vertebral body deformity was rated on radiography according to the Genant criterion, and the degeneration of the adjacent
cephalic and caudal discs was assessed on MR images using the Oner and Pfirrmann classification schemes, respectively. The
relationship between vertebral body deformity and adjacent disc changes was assessed using correlation analysis, and the
changes in the adjacent cranial and caudal discs was compared. Results The Genant classification of the involved vertebral
bodies was moderately correlated with Oner morphological scores (r=0.48, P<0.01), but not with the Pfirrmann signal scores of
the adjacent cephalic discs or with the Genant or Pfirrmann scores of the adjacent caudal discs (P>0.05). The Oner classification
of the adjacent cephalic discs was higher than that of the adjacent caudal discs (P<0.01), but their Pfirrmann classification did
not differ significantly. Conclusion The deformity of vertebral body affects the adjacent cephalic discs proportionally but not
the adjacent caudal discs.