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The neuropathology of intervertebral discs removed for low‐back pain
Author(s) -
Yoshizawa Hidezo,
O'Brien John P.,
Thomas Smith W.,
Trumper Mary
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
the journal of pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.964
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1096-9896
pISSN - 0022-3417
DOI - 10.1002/path.1711320202
Subject(s) - fujita scale , neuropathology , medicine , orthopedic surgery , general surgery , surgery , pathology , physics , disease , meteorology
Thirty lower lumbar intervertebral discs (IVDs) removed for low-back pain were examined. There is a profuse non-myelinated axonal network and abundant free nerve terminals in the outer (lateral) half of the annulus fibrosus. The inner annulus and the nucleus pulposus did not contain nerve terminals. No significant changes in the nerve networks could be demonstrated in degenerate IVDs: in particular, ingrowth of nerve terminals into foci of granulomatous tissue was not seen. Early foci of degeneration are clearly shown by Marshall's silver method for metalophil cells. Mucinous filaments are argyrophilic and can be mistaken for axonal structures in the nucleus pulposus.