[Chondrocalcinosis of the intervertebral disks]

Intervertebral discs removed in cases of disc herniation were investigated by polarized light microscopy. In about 4% of all cases crystalline deposits were detected. The crystals were characterized by different staining methods, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. From the results it is concluded that the crystalline deposits are usually composed of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate. With regard to the age of the patients it became obvious that there was an increased frequency of crystalline deposits with increasing age. Therefore it is assumed that calcium pyrophosphate deposits in intervertebral discs are an agerelated phenomenon as is known from chondrocalcinosis of other joints.