The Pfirrmann classification assesses lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration on T2-weighted MRI across four criteria: signal, structure, nucleus/annulus distinction and disc height. Select the grade (I–V) that best matches the description.

Grade I (1) — Normal young disc Homogeneous; bright white T2 signal; clear nucleus/annulus distinction; normal height. Grade II (2) — Normal adult disc Inhomogeneous (possibly horizontal bands); white T2 signal; clear distinction; normal height. Grade III (3) — Early degeneration Inhomogeneous; grey, indistinct T2 signal; unclear nucleus/annulus distinction; normal or slightly decreased height. Grade IV (4) — Severe degeneration Inhomogeneous; dark grey to black T2 signal; distinction lost; normal to moderately decreased height. Grade V (5) — Collapsed disc Inhomogeneous; black T2 signal; distinction lost; disc-space collapse.

Calculating…