不同病理类型椎间盘突出组织的超微结构观察

目的：从细胞水平了解不同病理类型的突出椎间盘细胞结构的病变程度。方法：将4例凸起型、9例破裂型、6例游离型椎间盘突出髓核组织分别切成小块，经组织学处理后行透射电镜观察。结果：(1)凸起型椎问盘突出髓核组织中观察到部分退变细胞、严重退变细胞及坏死细胞；(2)破裂型椎间盘突出髓核组织中观察到少部分退变细胞，大部分为严重退变细胞及坏死细胞；(3)游离型椎间盘突出髓核组织中观察到严重退变细胞及坏死细胞。结论：不同临床病理类型的椎间盘突出组织，其细胞退变严重程度不同，以凸起型为轻，破裂型较重．游离型最为严重．     

椎间盘自身免疫与椎间盘突出症的相关研究进展

椎间盘是人体最大的无血管组织，具有自身免疫抗原性，自身免疫反应可能与椎间盘突出症有关。众多研究表明：椎间盘突出症患者脑积液中IgG、IgM含量和血清中IgG、IgM含量的比率明显高于正常对照组，在突出椎间盘组织标本中发现抗原抗体复合物沉积，椎间盘突出标本中有大量的淋巴细胞和巨噬细胞表达，不同类型的椎间盘突出其自身免疫反应所诱导的炎症反应也不完全相同，并和腰腿痛的症状有明显的相关性。自身免疫反应可能是椎间盘突出症重要作用机理之一，是椎间盘突出症保守治疗的理论基础。     

破裂型腰椎间盘突出症85例临床分析

手术治疗348例腰椎间盘突出症，85例确诊为破裂型，占24．4％。根据病史、腰腿痛程度、直腿抬高试验阳性角度及CT等综合分析，认为本前可诊断破裂型椎间盘突出症。CT扫描的髓核脱出率、后突角和硬膜囊脂肪阴影的消失有诊断价值。一旦诊断破裂型椎间盘突出症宜及早手术。     

破裂型腰椎间盘突出症的影像学诊断

对经手术治疗的９２例（１０７个）腰椎间盘突出症患者做ＭＲＩ、ＣＴ和椎管造影（Ｍｙｅ）检查，进行破裂型椎间盘突出症诊断的前瞻性研究。以手术所见髓核突出状态为标准诊断，确诊破裂型椎间盘突出３８例（４０个椎间盘），占３７％，其准确率依次为：ＭＲＩ＋ＣＴ＋Ｍｙｅ９６．７％（２９／３０），ＭＲＩ＋ＣＴ９１．２％（３１／３４），ＭＲＩ＋Ｍｙｅ８１．１％（３０／３７），ＣＴ＋Ｍｙｅ８０．Ｏ％（３２／４０），ＭＲＩ７６．９％（３０／３９），ＣＴ６５．２％（３０／４６），Ｍｙｅ６４．４％（２９／４５）。经统计学处理各组差异无显著意义。运用ＭＲＩ不同脉冲序列成像，可清楚地显示髓核、纤维环及后纵韧带和硬膜囊等结构。分别经椎间盘、椎间孔和椎弓根三个断层做ＣＴ扫描，并测量髓核突出率及动力位椎管造影有助于诊断破裂型椎间盘突出。文章讨论了椎间盘突出的分类及各种影像学检查的意义。     

MRI诊断颈椎间盘突出症

方法：报道５２例颈椎间盘突出症的ＭＲＩ检查，进行矢状面和横切面成象。结果：本组共６４个颈椎间盘突出，矢状面显示突出的髓核与未突出部分之间有“窄颈”相连，硬膜囊受压后移；横切面可显示突出髓核的部位在中央还是侧方，硬膜囊和神经根受压的程度。结论：ＭＲＩ检查为颈椎间盘突出症的诊断、鉴别诊断、治疗方案的选择提供了可靠依据     

腰椎间盘突出症和椎间盘源性疼痛的免疫病理学研究

目的通过对突出腰椎间盘组织中免疫因子的测定,进一步探讨腰椎间盘突出症与椎间盘源性疼痛在免疫病理学改变的异同点。方法收集标本:腰椎间盘突出症(A组)30例,椎间盘源性疼痛(B组)30例,确诊后两组均行腰椎后路减压植骨融合术,腰椎爆裂骨折(C组)10例,都行前路手术,共70例椎间盘髓核标本。对各组髓核组织进行组织学观察,通过免疫组化方法对髓核中CD25+T细胞和CD68阳性巨噬细胞进行检测及数据统计分析。结果病理学观察:C组髓核组织细胞形态一致,匀称分布,细胞质无明显退变,无明显炎症细胞浸润;其他两组均见髓核细胞空泡样变、形态不一致,胞质分布不均;A组髓核组织周围能见较多炎症细胞、局部见毛细血管增生;B组髓核细胞质退变明显,髓核组织周围能见少量炎症细胞,无明显毛细血管增生。免疫组化检测:CD68阳性率,B组(50%)A组(33.3%)C组(0%),各组间差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。A组中CD25+T细胞均表现在CD68阳性巨噬细胞相同位置,B组与C组为阴性。结论腰椎间盘突出症髓核周围有显著的自身免疫反应与炎症反应;椎间盘源性疼痛髓核周围有少量炎症细胞与较多巨噬细胞,但未见明显的毛细血管与T淋巴细胞增生,表明周围有炎症反应,但自身免疫反应没有腰椎间盘突出症典型。     

破裂型椎间盘突出动物模型重吸收过程中自身免疫反应的研究

目的 探讨自身免疫反应在椎间盘突出后重吸收过程中的作用机制.方法 将20只SD雄性大鼠随机分成对照组,实验组.实验组经手术切除尾椎椎间盘,埋植在背部硬膜外.动物30天后处死,取埋植的髓核组织,进行HE染色,流式细胞仪检测.对照组,将线团埋植在硬膜外,30天后处死作对照试验.结果 对照组与实验组突出组织的形态结构与T,B细胞含量有明显差异.结论 破裂型椎间盘突出的髓核组织能够吸引活性的T,B细胞,引发自身免疫反应.     

腰椎椎间盘突出的移位形式和神经根高位分叉的关系

腰椎椎间盘突出的移位形式和神经根高位分叉的关系陈金益译池永龙校椎间盘突出（ＨＮＰ）是纤维环的正常解剖学的形状发生退行性变。分为纤维环保持连续性的椎间盘膨隆和纤维环破裂髓核脱出的狭义的椎间盘突出。后者根据髓核脱出形式有３型，即：后纵韧带下脱出的韧带下突...     

黄芪对破裂型椎间盘突出重吸收动物模型的影响

目的：研究破裂型椎间盘突出重吸收过程中免疫反应的作用机制,以及黄芪干预重吸收过程的作用机制。方法：将28只雄性SD大鼠,随机分为正常组、模型组、黄芪注射液治疗组和胸腺肽治疗组等4组。动物t0d后处死,取髓核组织,进行HE染色观察形态结构变化,流式细胞仪检测T、B细胞含量。结果：相对于模型组,治疗组大鼠髓核组织的形态结构发生明显变化,T、B细胞含量比例明显大于模型组。结论：突出髓核组织能够引发自身免疫反应,黄芪对破裂型椎间盘突出的重吸收有一定促进作用,可能是通过增强自身免疫而发挥作用的。     

显微椎间盘镜行双间隙髓核摘除术治疗复合型腰椎间盘突出症

目的 探讨脊柱后路显微椎间盘镜行双间隙椎间盘髓核摘除术治疗复合型腰椎间盘突出症的手术入路和疗效。方法 在应用脊柱后路显微椎间盘镜为282例腰椎间盘突出症患者进行髓核摘除术中，选择L4-5、L5S1，复合型椎间盘突出者52例(18．4％)，采用同侧双切口入路或不同侧双切口入路对同侧或不同侧相邻的双间隙椎间盘突出者做髓核摘除术。结果 接受本手术入路治疗的52例复合型椎间盘突出症者，其建立工作通道的成功率为100％、行显微椎间盘镜髓核摘除的优良率为96．1％。结论 以同侧或不同侧作双切口入路在椎间盘镜下作相邻双间隙椎间盘突出髓核摘除术治疗复合型腰椎间盘突出症创伤小、恢复快，具有创新性和实用性。     

Presence and distribution of antigen-antibody complexes in the herniated nucleus pulposus.

STUDY DESIGN: Herniated tissue was studied by immunohistochemistry in eight patients with lumbar disc herniation. The results were compared with those of control subjects. OBJECTIVE: To assess the presence and distribution of possible antigen-antibody complexes in herniated disc tissue. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: It has been suggested that the nucleus pulposus may be recognized as a foreign-body by the immune system and that this will lead to secondary nerve root disturbance. Such immunologic events should be initiated by binding of antibodies to a specific antigen in the disc tissue. However, the presence of antigen-antibody complexes in the herniated disc tissue has not been assessed. METHODS: Amplification of the peroxidase reaction produced in avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex immunostaining by diaminobenzidine was used to visualize antigen-antibody complexes in the herniated tissue. The authors used herniated tissue from eight patients with lumbar disc herniation and nucleus pulposus from five control subjects with nonlumbar disc herniation. Thin paraffin sections, prefixed in 4% paraformaldehyde, were incubated with anti-human IgG antibody to allow visualization of antigen-antibody complexes in the specimens. RESULTS: A brown deposit, indicating antigen-antibody complexes, could be observed in the pericellular capsule in herniated disc tissue but not in control discs or in the residual discs of the herniation patients. CONCLUSION: Antigen-antibody complexes seem to be commonly present in herniated disc tissue, but not in healthy discs. However, the pathophysiologic and clinical significance of this observation has to be elucidated further.     

Neovascularization of the outermost area of herniated lumbar intervertebral discs

In 64 surgically treated herniated lumbar intervertebral discs, we performed histopathological studies of neovascularization in the outermost layer of the herniated mass in various types of hernia. We obtained specimens separately from the capsule tissue covering the herniated mass and the inner tip tissue of the herniated mass for comparison. Histologically, in most cases, the capsule tissue was the outermost layer of the annulus fibrosus or posterior longitudinal ligament, and the inner tip tissue was the nucleus pulposus. In the capsule tissue, newly formed small blood vessels were present in 73.4% of the total cases examined, regardless of the hernia type. However, the frequency and degree of such vessels in the tip tissue were significantly higher in hernias that perforated the posterior longitudinal ligament than in those that did not. When the intervertebral disc herniates, new blood vessels proliferate in the capsule of the hernial tissue. At the stage when the hernial capsule tissue is still present, these vessels were observed to have difficulty reaching the inner tip portion. These findings suggest that when the nucleus pulposus portion of the herniated mass perforates the posterior longitudinal ligament, it may be subject to a stronger neovascularization reaction. Received for publication on May 18, 1998; accepted on Jan. 19, 1999     

Expression of Fas receptor on disc cells in herniated lumbar disc tissue

STUDY DESIGN: The expression of Fas receptor, an apoptosis-related protein, on disc cells was examined in surgically obtained disc specimens. OBJECTIVE: To assess the fate of disc cells in herniated disc tissue and the difference in the degree of expression of the Fas receptor between contained and noncontained discs. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Little is known about the fate of disc cells after herniation. METHODS: Twenty-three herniated lumbar disc specimens were classified into contained discs (protrusion or subligamentous extrusion; n = 9) and noncontained discs (transligamentous extrusion or sequestration; n = 14). All specimens were stained using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method. The percentage of disc cells positive for Fas receptor was calculated and compared with clinical and radiologic data. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the percentage of Fas-positive disc cells between the contained and noncontained discs (8.44 vs.- 14.29;P = 0.044). The percentage of Fas-positive disc cells correlated significantly with the patient's age (r = 0.455, P = 0.029), but not with the degree of disc degeneration on magnetic resonance imaging (r = 0.252, P = 0.214). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to identify the expression of Fas receptor on disc cells in herniated disc tissue. The results show that the disc cells after herniation may undergo Fas-mediated apoptosis and that the degree of expression of Fas receptor differs depending on the type of herniation.     

Metaplastic proliferative fibrocartilage as an alternative concept to herniated intervertebral disc

It is hypothesized on the basis of experimental intervertebral disc degeneration that herniated disc is actually newly synthesized proliferative metaplastic fibrocartilage and not herniation of pre-existing disc tissue, particularly that of the nucleus pulposus. Human material in selected surgical tissues was examined to test this concept. Histology revealed evidence for proliferative fronts of fibroblastic cells in herniated discs with hypocellular interiors. Hydroxypyridinium cross-link assay was used to determine the maturity of the collagen. Results indicated, with statistical significance, that herniated disc is a younger tissue than in situ annulus fibrosis, and that herniated disc is not from the nucleus pulposus, thus supporting the hypothesis.     

Expression of Fas ligand and apoptosis of disc cells in herniated lumbar disc tissue

STUDY DESIGN: An examination of surgically obtained herniated lumbar disc tissues performed by using immunohistochemical staining and the DNA nick end labeling method. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cell type that expresses Fas ligand (FasL) and any evidence of apoptosis of the disc cells in herniated lumbar disc tissues. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The Fas/FasL system is involved in delivering a death signal that rapidly commits the cells to apoptosis. In the authors' previous study, the expression of Fas on disc cells was identified in herniated lumbar disc tissue. METHODS: Twenty-three herniated lumbar disc tissues (contained disc, n = 9; noncontained disc, n = 14) were examined to investigate the cell type that expresses FasL and any evidence of apoptosis of the disc cells by using immunohistochemical staining and the DNA nick end labeling method, respectively. The percentage of FasL-positive disc cells was calculated and compared with clinical and radiologic data. RESULTS: FasL was expressed in the cytoplasm of the disc cells, and nuclear DNA fragmentation in a few disc cells was identified. A higher degree of FasL expression in disc cells was found in noncontained discs than in contained discs (P < 0.05). The percentage of FasL-positive disc cells significantly increased with the patient's age (P < 0.05), but not with the degree of disc degeneration (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The current results indicate that disc cells, after herniation, undergo apoptotic cell death via autocrine or paracrine FasL mechanisms by the disc cells themselves.     

Nerve root compression by herniated intradiscal gas. Case report

Intervertebral disc degeneration of any etiology may be associated with the formation of spaces or clefts within the disc. Gas collects within these spaces and can be seen roentgenographically. A case is presented in which intradiscal gas herniated into a connective tissue capsule, displacing the left S-1 nerve root and producing symptoms and signs identical to those of a herniated nucleus pulposus. The pathophysiology of gas within a disc space and the possibility that it may herniate much like the nucleus pulposus is discussed.     

Relationship between neovascularization and degenerative changes in herniated lumbar intervertebral discs

Purpose

Lumbar disc degeneration may be associated with intensity of neovascularization in disc herniations. Our study was designed to evaluate how much the severity of histodegeneration is related to the development of neovascularization and to the level of pleiotrophin in the herniated lumbar discs.

Methods

Surgically excised lumbar disc specimens were obtained from 29 patients with noncontained (i.e., extruding through the posterior longitudinal ligament) and 21 patients with contained disc herniations. The histodegeneration scores and levels of neovascularization were estimated according to semiquantitative analysis in lumbar disc and endplate samples. Immunohistochemical staining were performed to identify the newly formed blood vessels and to detect the presence of pleiotrophin in the specimens.

Results

Higher levels of disc and endplate neovascularity were registered in noncontained herniations. The level of neovascularization was significantly related to the score of histodegeneration in the herniated disc tissues but not in the endplate specimens. Both contained and noncontained herniations had the highest values of histodegeneration in conjunction with the highest level of neovascularization but the relations between neovascularity and degenerative changes remained to be significant only in the group of noncontained herniations. Registration or frequency of pleiotrophin positive cells did not correlate significantly with histodegeneration or level of neovascularization in the disc samples.

Conclusion

Severe histodegeneration of the lumbar disc herniations is associated with enhanced neovascularization and potentially also spontaneous regression of the herniated tissue.     

前列腺素E2在突出腰椎间盘中的表达及其与坐骨神经痛的关系

目的探讨前列腺素(PG)E2在突出腰椎间盘组织中的表达及其在坐骨神经痛发病机制中的作用。方法 42个突出椎间盘标本取自42例腰椎间盘突出并有坐骨神经放射性疼痛症状的手术治疗患者,其中膨隆型12例,破裂型15例,游离型15例,取材部位为紧贴神经根突入椎管的椎间盘组织(A部位)和椎间隙内残存的椎间盘组织(B部位)。术前采用视觉模拟评分(VAS)对所有患者坐骨神经痛严重程度进行评分。应用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测PGE2含量。结果 A部位PGE2含量自膨隆型、破裂型至游离型逐渐升高,差异有显著性(P<0.01);A部位PGE2含量高于B部位(P<0.01);PGE2含量与患者坐骨神经痛VAS评分存在明显相关性(r=0.848,P<0.01)。结论 PGE2参与了腰椎间盘退变、突出的发病机制,PGE2含量与坐骨神经痛程度呈正相关性。     

游离型腰椎间盘突出的组织学观察

目的 观察游离型腰椎间盘突出组织的病理学改变,并探讨影响其自然吸收的相关因素.方法 对经手术治疗的37例39个游离型腰椎间盘突出组织行HE染色及免疫组化研究.HE染色用于观察突出组织的病理来源;免疫组化研究包括CD68、CD34染色,分别用于观察突出组织巨噬细胞浸润程度及新生血管形成程度.按髓核组织含量将突出组织分为3组：髓核组、含髓核组及不含髓核组,分析巨噬细胞浸润程度、新生血管形成程度与年龄、病程、病理来源以及影像学各因素的相关性.所有资料采用单因素方差分析或直线相关分析.结果 游离型突出组织以髓核为主的占62%,92%的游离型突出组织周围有新生肉芽组织形成.在新生肉芽组织内可见新生血管周围大量巨噬细胞浸润.3组间新生血管形成程度、巨噬细胞浸润程度差异均有统计学意义（F=5.663,P=0.008;F=3.604,P=0.038）.突出组织的巨噬细胞浸润程度、新生血管形成程度与年龄、病程无显著相关,与突出组织大小呈显著正相关关系（r=0.342,P=0.033;r=0.440,P=0.005）;且当突出组织MRI相对信号强度为0.30～0.72时,其巨噬细胞浸润程度、新生血管形成程度最显著.结论 多数游离型腰椎间盘突出组织以髓核组织为主要来源,并呈现不同程度的自然吸收现象.突出组织的自然吸收程度与年龄、病程无关,与突出组织的病理来源显著相关;当突出组织越大、突出组织相对信号强度为0.30～0.72时,自然吸收程度越显著.     

Experimental studies on the effects of recombinant human matrix metalloproteinases on herniated disc tissues--how to facilitate the natural resorption process of herniated discs.

PURPOSE: Recently, MMP-7 and MMP-3 have been found to play a crucial role in the natural resorption process of herniated discs. We therefore examined the role of these recombinant human matrix metalloproteinases (rh MMPs) in the treatment of herniated discs. METHODS: (a) Surgical samples of herniated disc were cultured in the presence or absence of rh MMPs, and wet weight was measured 24h later. (b) The rh MMPs were administered into normal rabbit intervertebral discs, and after 1 week spine samples were stained with Safranin O. (c) The rh MMPs were administered into canine herniated discs in vivo. Myelography and MRI were performed prior to and 1 week after administration. Spine samples were examined histologically. Whole disc tissue was collected, total protein was extracted, and Western blot analysis was performed. RESULTS: (a) Proteoglycan degradation was found in MMP-7, MMP-3, and chymopapain-treated samples. MMP-7 and chymopapain-treated samples displayed a significant loss in wet weight (p<0.01). (b) Normal disc tissues after administration of rh MMP-7, MMP-3, and chymopapain showed an extensive loss of Safranin O staining. (c) The rh MMP-7-treated discs had a marked decrease in protruded herniation by MRI. Herniated discs after administration of MMP-7 and chymopapain showed a significant decrease in protruded mass 7 days after administration compared with saline-treated discs when evaluated by myelography (p<0.01). The rh MMP-7-treated discs displayed a clear loss of Safranin O staining in the nucleus pulposus. Proteoglycan expression was barely detectable in disc tissues after MMP-7 administration, whereas obvious expression was obtained in saline-treated or untreated disc tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to rh MMP-7 resulted in promising proteoglycan loss in human surgical samples, normal rabbit intervertebral discs, and natural canine herniated discs. Administration of rh MMP-7 may facilitate the resorption process of herniated discs.