[Vascular proliferation within the herniated lumbar intervertebral discs in surgically treated patients]

Blood vessels are observed in intervertebral discs of children, and after individuals skeletal maturity the intervertebral discs become avascular structures. According to some opinions, new vessels in the annulus fibrosus can appear in adults as a result of regeneration processes. The lumbar intervertebral discs resected during surgery due to low-back-pain and during autopsies (control group) were evaluated histologically. The vascular proliferation was observed in 35% of surgical specimens in all types of herniation (protrusio, prolapse, and free sequesters). The statistical analysis revealed that proliferation take place mainly in young individuals.