The purpose of our prospective study was to assess the presentation of Schmorl's nodes (SN) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and investigate their possible association with demographic and clinical findings.

Three hundred and thirty-three patients were prospectively included. Thirteen (3.9%) patients were excluded because of contraindication to MRI and/or Scheuermann's disease. The final study population included 320 patients. T1-weighted and short TI inversion recovery sequences were performed to assess SN prevalence, the vertebral level and their anatomical distribution in vertebra. Medical history was recorded focusing on previous diseases including degenerative, rheumatoid and neoplastic disease, and any existing spinal traumatism. Epidemiological information was also obtained, including age, gender, ethnicity, professional and sporting activity.

The final study population included 320 patients (172 men, 148 women) with a mean age of 54 years±17.5 (SD) (range: 19–87 years). A total of 421 SN were found in 158/320 patients (49.4%). SN were localized in thoracic spine for 48%, in lumbar spine for 46% and cervical spine for 6%. The middle part of the thoracic vertebra was the most affected area (80%), mostly in the middle superior endplate (41%). SN were more frequently observed in manual workers who worked more than 10 years (P<0.0001) and less frequently in patients of the 30–39-year-old age group (P=0.0048). No significant associations were found with gender (P=0.17) and remarkable medical history (P=0.21). SN were less frequently observed in patients with sport activities of 1–5hours/week (P=0.04) and those with an African origin (P<0.0001).

Our study suggests a potential role for ethnical and physical factors in the pathogenesis of SN. Furthers studies are mandatory to evaluate their clinical relevance, especially in patients such as Caucasian manual workers in whom SN have a high prevalence.