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The role of computerised tomography in intervertebral disc prolapse.

Computerised tomography of the lumbar spine was performed on 22 patients with clinical evidence of prolapse of an intervertebral disc and normal or equivocal radiculograms. Of 11 patients with positive scans who had an operation the presence of pathology was confirmed in 10. Although CT scanning is always helpful in diagnosing disc disorders, where facilities are scarce (as in Great Britain) it is best employed in patients with negative or non-contributory radiculography.

Adult↗

[Regulating effects of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) on gene expression of collagen type II in human intervertebral discs].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the regulating effects of TGF-beta on gene expression of collagen type II in the human intervertebral discs. METHODS: In situ hybridization was used to investigate the effect of TGF-beta1 on collagen mRNA in confluent primary and passaged monolayer cell cultures of annulus fibrosus (AF) as well as nucleus pulposus (NP). The mean photodensitometry of cell smears as semi-quantitative analysis was evaluated by VIDAS software. RESULTS: In primary cultures, 1 ng/ml and 10 ng/ml TGF-beta1 inhibited the collagen type II mRNA levels by 74.6% and 60.2% respectively in AF; they also inhibited the mRNA levels by 69.6% and 55.5% respectively in NP. In passaged cultures in which the notochordal cells and chondrocytes were in dedifferentiation status, 1 ng/ml and 10 ng/ml TGF-beta1 increased the collagen type II mRNA levels by 151% and 166% respectively in AF and also increased the mRNA levels by 145% and 198% respectively in NP. CONCLUSIONS: The regulation effect of TGF-beta on collagen type II gene expression is dependent on whether the cells are fully differentiated or undergoing phenotype loss, and TGF-beta may play an important role in the repair process during early disc degeneration, especially in nucleus pulposus.

Cells, Cultured↗

Gadolinium-DTPA--enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of a sequestered lumbar intervertebral disc and its correlation with pathologic findings.

A 37-year-old man developed spinal nerve root compression caused by a sequestered lumbar intervertebral disc that migrated caudally away from the L5-S1 interspace of origin. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the lumbosacral spine after administration of gadolinium-DTPA (Gd-DTPA) revealed intense peripheral, but not entire, enhancement of an extradural defect. The result of examination using Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI increased the certainty of preoperative diagnosis of sequestered disc. Pathologic examination of the resected specimen showed that the extradural defect was sequestered disc material covered with vascularized granulation tissue, and indicated that the intense peripheral enhancement of the extradural defect in Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI was related to the accumulation of contrast material within the vascularized granulation tissue surrounding the avascular sequestered disc material.

Adult↗

Morphologic and molecular evidence for gap junctions and connexin 43 and 45 expression in annulus fibrosus cells from the human intervertebral disc.

Data are presented which provide evidence for gap junction formation and connexin (Cx) 43 and 45 gene expression in human intervertebral disc cells in vivo and in vitro. These findings in cells from the annulus are important in conjunction with the well-recognized loss of disc cells during aging and disc degeneration. As a result of this loss of cells, cell-cell communication, which we propose is an important, but as yet poorly understood, mechanism which links and coordinates cellular function throughout the entire population of disc cells, is also disrupted. These studies provide additional information on the fundamental cell biology of the disc cell and provide an additional framework for understanding aging, degeneration and potential repair of the human disc.

Aged↗

The favourable effect of adding a catalase to the treatment of syndromes due to intervertebral disc degenerations.

Over a period of one year, 648 patients suffering from 4 different but very resistant syndromes due to intervertebral disc degenerations of the cervical and lumbosacral spine were treated in an identical way, but 50% of them received also catalase (Optidase¿) injections. Half of each group were males and half of them females, the age being 30--50 years. Catalase accelerates the recovery already within the first 3 weeks and the final results after 24 weeks are still significant. In addition, the study of the ischial syndrome was extended to a group of 1208 patients over a period of 5 years, confirming again the favourable effect of catalase. Catalase is generally well tolerated; dangerous reactions have not been noticed.

Adult↗

Effects of high-intensity focused ultrasound on the intervertebral disc: a potential therapy for disc herniations.

PURPOSE: To determine the potential application of high-intensity focused ultrasound for the minimally invasive treatment of herniated intervertebral discs by developing a probe that produces sufficiently high temperature locally to shrink collagen fibers (65-75 degrees Celsius). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 5-mm ultrasound probe was produced with a geometric focal length of 15 mm. The probe produced 2.5 W of acoustic power and was operated at a frequency of 4.1 MHz. Measurements of temperature increase were performed in discs from bovine tails. In vivo experiments were performed to assess histologic changes in the disc as well as in nerve root and muscle. RESULTS: Sufficient temperature increase to produce collagen shrinkage was observed close to the focus of the ultrasound. Temperature measurements in vertebral end plates showed a temperature increase of only 4 degrees Celsius after 60-second exposure of the disc. In vivo experiments revealed histologic changes in the disc consistent with collagen shrinkage, with no adverse effects seen in surrounding tissues. CONCLUSIONS: The experiments demonstrated the feasibility of high-intensity focused ultrasound in the treatment of contained herniated discs. This technique has several advantages over other thermal treatment modalities.

Animals↗

New approaches to magnetic resonance imaging of intervertebral discs, tendons, ligaments, and menisci.

This review article discusses new magnetic resonance techniques for imaging collagen containing structures such as intervertebral discs, tendons, and ligaments. The semisolid collagen in tendons and ligaments is not normally demonstrable with magnetic resonance imaging but may be visualized with magic angle imaging and other techniques. This allows these structures to be studied with methods used for other tissues and organs. The ordered nature of collagen provides a directional signature for the tissues that may be of diagnostic value. Solute transport in these avascular or partially avascular structures can be observed with gadolinium chelates. The time scale of this process is much slower than for other tissues of the body. Solid state imaging techniques applied in applied in material sciences may provide other new approaches to diagnosis of disease in these structures.

Biological Transport↗

Intervertebral disc herniation in the adolescent.

Twenty-nine patients between 14 and 20 years of age underwent surgical treatment for intervertebral disc herniation over a 10-year period. Trauma was a significant factor in 59%. Back pain was a major complaint in all cases, and all but one had significant sciatic distress. Typical painful, restricted forward flexion was found in 22 cases. All patients had definite signs of nerve root tension. Nerve compression signs were present in 41%. Myelography was done in all cases, and discography was performed on 22 patients to aid in diagnosis and planning of definitive treatment. Twenty-three patients were followed over an average of 5.3 years. Excellent or good results were found in 89%. One patient required a further surgical procedure. Analyzing 12 procedures performed at the L5-S1 level demonstrated excellent results in all patients undergoing lumbosacral fusion combined with discotomy at this level in the presence of a normal L4-5 discogram.

Adolescent↗

Biomechanical properties of human intervertebral discs subjected to axial dynamic compression--influence of age and degeneration.

This investigation was performed to study biomechanical properties of human intervertebral discs as a function of age. 178 specimens from 21 spinal sections (Th9-S1, 5-84 yr) were subjected to axial dynamic compression; the load being 950 +/- 540 N. The results revealed three distinct age ranges: From the first to the middle of the third decade: axial deformability decreases within the thoracic region, and remains almost constant within the lumbar spine; creep decreases in both parts. From the middle of the third to the beginning of the sixth decade: the biomechanical behavior scarcely alters. Afterwards: axial deformability remains unchanged; creep, however, again increases within the lumbar spine. The results reveal the discs behave most efficiently within the age range where the incidence of back pain is maximal.

Adolescent↗

Growth factor osteogenic protein-1: differing effects on cells from three distinct zones in the bovine intervertebral disc.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine if cells isolated from three distinct zones in the bovine intervertebral disc (IVD) differ in their response to growth factor osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1) because of inherent biological differences. The new knowledge gained will help determine if treatment of degenerative disc disease with purified growth factors is effective and will provide guidance in terms of the injection technique and frequency of treatments required. DESIGN: This was an in vitro study measuring the effects of OP-1 on proteoglycan accumulation and synthesis by cells from the nucleus pulposus, inner-annulus fibrosus (inner-AF), and outer-annulus fibrosus (outer-AF) in the bovine IVD. RESULTS: Growth factor OP-1, at 100 ng/ml, stimulated proteoglycan accumulation and resulted in a statistically significant increase in the proteoglycan content of cells derived from three zones of the bovine IVD: 97% in the nucleus pulposus, 40% in the inner-AF, and 75% in the outer-AF. To elucidate the mechanism of enhanced proteoglycan accumulation in response to OP-1, we studied the rate of proteoglycan synthesis and cell proliferation. OP-1 stimulation resulted in a statistically significant increase in the DNA content in cultures containing cells from all three zones of the IVDs: 79% in the nucleus pulposus, 100% in the inner-AF, and 73% in the outer-AF. After dividing by DNA content, OP-1 resulted in a statistically significant increase in the rate of proteoglycan synthesis in the nucleus pulposus (78%) and outer-AF (17%) cells, but the increase in inner-AF cells (23%) did not achieve statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: OP-1 stimulates proteoglycan accumulation by bovine IVD cells isolated from all three zones of the bovine IVDs. Cells from all three zones proliferated significantly. Individual cells derived from nucleus pulposus and outer-AF, but not those from the inner-AF, synthesized proteoglycans at a significantly faster rate with OP-1 stimulation.

Animals↗