[Experimental model for reproduction of monoradicular compression by disk hernias]

Monoradicular compression was achieved with an original technique. As a compressive factor the authors made use of a device that can be easily removed by a simple monoeuver. From the clinical and functional aspects the nervous suffering induced in 11 dogs was similar to that encountered in men with intervertebral disc hernia. From the histological viewpoint, irritative phenomena were noted over the entire area of distribution of the compressed spinal nerve. Degenerative aspects were also observed in the thick myelin fibres. Similar lesions developed on the opposite side, in the neighbouring medullary segments. Ten months after the suppression of the compression minor degenerative lesions were noted in the nervous elements on both sides, as well as a large number of regenerated fibres suggesting an aspect of neurinoma. The electromyographic aspects were in support of the histologic data. These results can be extrapolated in the human pathology.