Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Intervertebral disc degeneration - an autopsy study

  • Original articles
  • Published:
European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This is an autopsy analysis of 126 thoracolumbar spines. Extensive histomorphological examination identified microscopic changes in the nucleus and annulus fibrosus before any gross or radiological changes were evident. Histomorphological evidence of microavulsion of the attachment of the annulus fibrosus from its mooring at the margin of the cartilaginous endplate of the vertebral body suggests that forces (compression, distraction, rotation) applied during movement are contributing factors to the pathogenesis of degenerative disc disease.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Anstadt GW (1991) Intervertebral disc degeneration. J Occupat Med 33: 582–583

    Google Scholar 

  2. Fornasier VL, Horne JG (1975) Metastases to the vertebral column. Cancer 36: 590–594

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Coventry MB, Ghormley RK, Kernohan JW (1945) The intervertebral disc: its microscopic anatomy and pathology. Part II - Changes in the intervertebral disc concomitant with age. J Bone Joint Surg 27: 233–247; Part III - Pathological changes in the intervertebral disc. J Bone Joint Surg 27: 460–474

    Google Scholar 

  4. Coventry MB (1969) Anatomy of the intervertebral disc. Clin Orthop 67: 9–15

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Fornasier VL, Czitrom AA (1978) Collapsed vertebrae - a review of 659 autopsies. Clin Orthop Rel Res 131: 261–265

    Google Scholar 

  6. Gill K, Lesh PC, Videman T (1986) Comparison of MRI, CT scan, discography and macroscopic anatomy in the evaluation of cadaveric lumbar discs. Intl Soc Study Lumbar Spine Dallas, Texas

    Google Scholar 

  7. Schmorl G, Junghanns H (1971) The human spine in health and disease. Grune & Stratton, New York

    Google Scholar 

  8. Hirabayashi S, Kumano K, Tsuiki T, Eguchi M, Ikeda S (1990) A dorsally displaced free fragment of lumbar disc herniation and its interesting histologic findings. Spine 15: 1231–33

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Horn V, Vlach O, Messner P (1991) Enthesopathy in the vertebral disc region. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 110: 187–189

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Urowitz EPM, Fornasier VL (1979) Autoimmunity in degenerative disc disease - a histopathological study. Clin Orthop 142: 215–218

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Chitkara YK (1991) Clinicopathologic study of changes in prolapsed intervertebral discs. Arch Pathol Lab Med 115: 481–483

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Reymond RD, Wheeler PS (1972) The lucent cleft, a new radiographic sign of cervical disc injury disease. Clin Radio 23: 188–192

    Google Scholar 

  13. Fornasier VL, Littlejohn G, Urowitz MB, Keystone EC, Smythe HA (1984) Spinal enthesial new bone formation: the early changes of spinal diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis. J Rheumatol 10: 939–947

    Google Scholar 

  14. Harris RI, Macnab I (1954) Structural changes in the lumbar intervertebral discs. J Bone Joint Surg 36B: 304–322

    Google Scholar 

  15. Osti OL, Vernon-Roberts B, Fraser RD (1990) Annulus tears and intervertebral disc degeneration- an experimental study using an animal model. Spine 15: 762–767

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Frymoyer JW, Newberg A, et al. (1984) Spine radiographs in patients with low back pain. An epidemiological study in men. J Bone Joint Surg 66 Am: 1048–55

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Keller RH (1974) Traumatic displacement of the cartilaginous vertebral rim: a sign of intervertebral disc prolapse. Radiol 110: 21–4

    Google Scholar 

  18. Hilton RC, Ball J, Benn RT (1980) Annulus tears in the dorsolumbar spine. Ann Rheum Dis 39: 533–538

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Lawson JP, Ogden JA, et al (1987) Physeal injuries of the cervical spine. J Pediat Orthop 7: 428–35

    Google Scholar 

  20. Boni M, Denaro V (1987) Anatomo-clinical correlations in cervical spondylosis. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp. 3–20

    Google Scholar 

  21. Bohrer SP, Chen YM (1988) Cervical spine annulus vacuum. Skel Radiol 17: 324–329

    Google Scholar 

  22. Gardner RC (1970) The lumbar intervertebral disc: a clinicopathological correlation based on over 100 laminectomies. Arch Surg 100: 101–104

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Koreska J, Robertson D, et al (1977) Biomechanics of the lumbar spine and its clinical significance. Orthop Clin North Am 8: 121–33

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Knutsson F (1942) The vacuum phenomena in the intervertebral discs. Acta Radio 23173–179

  25. Maldague BE, Noel HM, Malghem JJ (1978) The intervertebral vacuum cleft: a sign of ischaemic collapse. Radiol 129: 23–29

    Google Scholar 

  26. Raines JR (1953) Intervertebral disc fissures, (vacuum intervertebral disc). Am J Roentgenol 70: 964–966

    Google Scholar 

  27. Resnick D, Niwayama G, et al (1981) Spinal vacuum phenomena: anatomical study and review. Radiol 139: 341–348

    Google Scholar 

  28. Scully RE, Mark EJ, McNeely WF, McNeely BU (1991) Case records of the Massachusetts General Hospital - Case 37. N Engl J Med 325: 794–799

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Tervonen O, Videman T (1988) Comparison of ultrasound and discography for the evaluation of disc changes. An experimental study. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York

    Google Scholar 

  30. Toyohiko I, Miyasaka K, et al (1983) Computed tomographic findings of vacuum phenomena in cervical intervertebral discs. Surg Neurol 19: 528–531

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. MacNab I (1971) The traction spur, an indicator of segmental instability. J Bone Joint Surg 53: 663–70

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Hindman BW, Poole CA (1970) Early appearance of the secondary vertebral ossification centers. Radiol 95: 359–361

    Google Scholar 

  33. Fornasier VL (1975) Fine detail radiography in the examination of tissue. Human Path 6: 623–631

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Wu H-C, Ren-Feng Y (1976) Mechanical behaviour of the human annulus fibrosus. J Biomech 9: 1–7

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. G. Garaffo (Visiting Fellow)

    Present address: Staff Surgeon, Giarre Hospital, Catania, Sicily, Italy

  2. L. Denaro (Visiting Fellow)

    Present address: Trainee in Neurosurgery, Rome, Italy

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopaedic Pathology, Laboratory of Bone and Joint Pathology, Department of Pathology, Wellesley Central Site, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Canada

    L. Denaro (Visiting Fellow)

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Campus Bio Medico, Free University of Rome, Via Emilio Longoni, 83, I-00155, Roma, Italy

    V. Denaro (Professor and Chair)

Authors
  1. V. L. Fornasier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. G. Garaffo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. L. Denaro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. V. Denaro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Fornasier, V.L., Garaffo, G., Denaro, L. et al. Intervertebral disc degeneration - an autopsy study. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 10, 159–165 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01682308

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01682308

Key words

Search

Navigation