Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is the leading cause of disability both within the United States and globally. However, reliable diagnosis and treatment remains limited due to a lack of objective and image-based biomarkers. Modic changes (MCs) are visible vertebral endplate and bone marrow changes in signal intensity seen on MRI. MCs have emerged as promising correlates with degenerative disc disease and CLBP. Methods: This is a non-systematic literature review. Results: This review synthesizes current evidence on the classification, pathophysiology, and imaging of MCs, with a particular focus on their associations with patient-reported outcomes, including pain (Visual Analog Scale), functional status (Oswestry disability index and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire), and health-related quality of life (Short Form-36 and EuroQol 5-Dimension 5 Level). MC type 1 and 2 show significant correlations with symptom severity and predict positive response to basi-vertebral nerve (BVN) ablation, a minimally invasive intervention inhibiting the nerves’ ability to transmit pain signals. Conclusions: Across multiple trials, BVN ablation has shown significant sustained improvements in patient-reported outcomes among patients with MC, reinforcing their role as both a diagnostic and therapeutic biomarker.

Background: Preterm birth is a leading cause of neonatal mortality and long-term disability worldwide. Injury in premature infants is demonstrated by disrupted organ development from inflammation, oxidative stress, hypoxia, and impaired vascular maturation. Current therapies largely provide supportive care and do not directly promote tissue regeneration. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based therapies have emerged as a potential strategy to enhance endogenous repair across organ systems commonly affected by prematurity. Results: Evidence indicates that MSCs exert therapeutic effects primarily through transient paracrine signaling rather than long-term engraftment. Following administration, MSCs release cytokines, growth factors, and extracellular vesicles that reduce inflammation, promote angiogenesis, and support tissue repair. In preclinical models of neonatal brain injury, MSC therapy has been associated with improved oligodendrocyte maturation and reduced white matter injury. Early clinical trials in neonatal encephalopathy demonstrate feasibility and short-term safety of both autologous and allogeneic cell products. However, studies remain limited by small sample sizes and short follow-up. Cell-free approaches using MSC-derived extracellular vesicles may offer similar biological benefits with potentially lower safety and regulatory concerns. Conclusions: MSC-based therapies represent a promising regenerative approach for complications of prematurity. Rigorous, large-scale trials with standardized protocols and long-term follow-up are necessary to clarify efficacy, optimize delivery strategies, and define safety in this vulnerable population.

Patients with psychiatric conditions experience higher rates of chronic low back pain (LBP) compared to the general population and frequently face worse outcomes, including delayed diagnosis, higher rates of opioid dependence, and suboptimal pain management. Despite the high burden of chronic LBP on patients with psychiatric illnesses, the effectiveness of interventional pain management procedures in this population remains understudied. This study sought to evaluate early pain reduction and functional outcomes following BVN ablation in patients with psychiatric conditions. A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients who underwent BVN ablation at our institution from November 2019 to January 2025. For patient group designation and comparison, we identified Patients with Psychiatric Conditions (PCC, N = 52) and Patients without Psychiatric Conditions (Non-PPC, N = 82). Psychiatric diagnoses included anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, Tourette's syndrome, and substance use disorders. Pain severity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at baseline and at the 4–6-week post-procedure follow-up visit, and functional improvement was determined based on documented patient-reported outcomes at the same time point. A statistically significant decrease in VAS was observed in the PPC cohort (7.4 vs. 3.71, p = 0.006) and the Non-PPC cohort (6.82 vs. 3.82, p = 0.017). When comparing the PPC cohort to the Non-PPC cohort, no statistically significant difference was observed in the percentage of patients reporting improvement in functional status after the procedure (80.8% vs. 78.0%, p = 0.706). At 4–6-weeks post procedure, patients with psychiatric conditions experienced significant pain relief and improvement in functional status comparable to patients without psychiatric conditions. These findings suggest that having a documented psychiatric condition does not significantly alter early pain relief or functional improvement outcomes after BVN ablation.