Degenerative changes of the canine cervical spine after discectomy procedures, an in vivo study

Peter Grunert,Yu Moriguchi,Lawrence J Bonassar,Roger Härtl,Brian P Grossbard,Rodolfo J Ricart Arbona

doi:10.1186/s12917-017-1105-5

Abstract

BackgroundDiscectomies are a common surgical treatment for disc herniations in the canine spine. However, the effect of these procedures on intervertebral disc tissue is not fully understood. The objective of this study was to assess degenerative changes of cervical spinal segments undergoing discectomy procedures, in vivo.ResultsDiscectomies led to a 60% drop in disc height and 24% drop in foraminal height. Segments did not fuse but showed osteophyte formation as well as endplate sclerosis. MR imaging revealed terminal degenerative changes with collapse of the disc space and loss of T2 signal intensity. The endplates showed degenerative type II Modic changes. Quantitative MR imaging revealed that over 95% of Nucleus Pulposus tissue was extracted and that the nuclear as well as overall disc hydration significantly decreased. Histology confirmed terminal degenerative changes with loss of NP tissue, loss of Annulus Fibrosus organization and loss of cartilage endplate tissue. The bony endplate displayed sclerotic changes.ConclusionDiscectomies lead to terminal degenerative changes. Therefore, these procedures should be indicated with caution specifically when performed for prophylactic purposes.

Highlights

Discectomies are a common surgical treatment for disc herniations in the canine spine
Discectomies comprise removal of the Nucleus Pulposus (NP) through a “window” or defect created in the Annulus Fibrosus (AF) via various approaches [6, 7]
To fill this knowledge gap we studied radiological and histological changes of beagles undergoing ventral cervical discectomy procedures in vivo

Summary

Introduction

Discectomies are a common surgical treatment for disc herniations in the canine spine. Discectomies are a commonly performed surgical procedures for the treatment of disc herniations in the canine spine [1, 2] and essentially describe an extraction of intervertebral disc (IVD) tissue out of the disc space. They are either performed independently using a ventral approach to treat simple disc protrusions without significant disc material extruding into the spinal canal [3] or in conjunction with a ventral slot procedure [1, 2].

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