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Cartilaginous endplate in cervical disc herniation
S Kokubun1, M Sakurai, Y Tanaka
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
Spine
|January 15, 1996
Summary
Cervical disc herniation predominantly involves the cartilaginous endplate, stemming from horizontal and vertical clefts within the disc. These changes are more common with aging, impacting herniated disc formation.
Area of Science:
- Spinal anatomy and pathology
- Histology of intervertebral discs
- Cervical spine disorders
Background:
- Limited histological descriptions of cervical disc tissue exist beyond nucleus pulposus and anulus fibrosus.
- Understanding the specific tissues involved in cervical disc herniation is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the characteristic histology of cervical disc herniation.
- To investigate the mechanisms of herniated mass formation in the cervical spine.
Main Methods:
- Histological examination of 21 herniated cervical discs from surgical cases.
- Histological analysis of 135 cervical intervertebral discs from autopsy cases.
- Correlation of findings with patient age and disc degeneration.
Main Results:
- Surgical specimens consistently showed cartilaginous endplate fragments with disc material.
- Autopsy discs frequently exhibited horizontal (61%) and vertical (49%) clefts, with 33% showing cartilaginous endplate separation.
- Fifteen percent of autopsy discs presented herniated masses including cartilaginous endplate components, with increased prevalence in older individuals.
Conclusions:
- Cartilaginous endplate-type herniation is the primary mechanism in the cervical spine.
- Horizontal and vertical cleft formation within the disc are key precursors to cervical disc herniation.