Radiographic and histologic changes after thoracolumbar disc curettage

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Surgery
• Spinal Anatomy
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Intervertebral disc disease is a common condition in animals.
• Surgical interventions aim to alleviate pain and restore function.
• Understanding disc healing post-surgery is crucial for treatment efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the radiographic and histological changes following surgical fenestration and curettage of thoracolumbar disc spaces in mature dogs.
• To assess the healing and regenerative capacity of intervertebral discs after surgical intervention.

Main Methods:

• Forty-eight thoracolumbar disc spaces in six mature dogs were surgically accessed using a dorsolateral muscle-separating technique.
• Twenty-four of these disc spaces underwent fenestration and curettage.
• Radiographic and histological evaluations were performed over a 16-week period.

Main Results:

• Immediate radiographic evidence of disc space collapse was observed post-surgery.
• Disc spaces remained consistently narrow throughout the 16-week observation period.
• Histological examination showed chondrocyte activation within two weeks and complete fibrocartilage infilling of the curetted spaces by 16 weeks.

Conclusions:

• Surgical fenestration and curettage result in immediate disc space narrowing.
• The canine thoracolumbar intervertebral disc demonstrates regenerative potential with fibrocartilage infilling after surgical excavation.
• This study provides insights into the healing process of intervertebral discs following surgical debridement.