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Updated: May 24, 2026
06:22
Optical Sectioning and Visualization of the Intervertebral Disc from Embryonic Development to Degeneration
Published on: July 8, 2021
Morphological changes in disc herniation in the lower cervical spine: an ultrastructural study.
Ingrid Sitte1, Anton Kathrein, Florian Pedross
1Department of Traumatology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. ingrid.sitte@i-med.ac.at
Summary
Degenerative disc disease involves cell changes, with "balloon" cells appearing in disc prolapse but not significantly in osteochondrosis. Their role in disc herniation remains unclear.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical research
- Cell biology
- Spine degeneration
Background:
- The cellular mechanisms underlying degenerative disc disease (DDD) are not fully understood.
- Apoptosis (programmed cell death) is a suspected key factor in DDD progression.
- This study aimed to link disc cell viability with radiological degeneration grades in disc herniation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between the viability of intervertebral disc (IVD) cells and radiological degeneration grades (rDG) in patients with disc herniation.
- To quantify different types of cells, including healthy, chondroptotic, apoptotic, and necrotic cells, in degenerated discs.
Main Methods:
- Histological and ultrastructural analysis of 40 anterior IVDs (C4-C7) from 39 DDD patients.
- Classification of patients based on radiological degeneration grades: prolapse (P: DGII+III) and osteochondrosis (O: DGIV+V).
- Comparison with eight control discs to assess cell populations.
Main Results:
- Necrosis was prevalent (mean 35%) but not significantly different between groups.
- "Balloon" cells (iAF) were consistently found in disc prolapse (DGII+III) patients (mean 32%) and appeared viable/hypertrophic.
- Significantly fewer "balloon" cells were observed in the osteochondrosis group (O-Group), with minimal presence in controls.
Conclusions:
- Quantitative differences in healthy and "balloon" cells correlate with radiological degeneration grades, but cell death rates did not significantly differ.
- The precise role of "balloon" cells in disc herniation, whether as a repair mechanism or a causative factor, requires further investigation.
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