Spondylosis Deformans Research Articles

Spondylosis deformans in the female beagle dog: A radiographic study

ABSTRACTSpondylosis deformans is a generalised disease of ageing resulting in formation of bony osteophytes around degenerating intervertebral discs throughout the vertebral column. It is noninflammatory and needs to be differentiated from spondylitis, which is either an infectious or noninfectious inflammatory process. Lateral radiographs of 310 female beagle dogs from a closed colony showed development of spondylosis deformans that was age‐dependent and located principally at discs numbers 5, 15, and 20 to 23. It was noteworthy that disc 26 was minimally involved whereas this location has been previously reported to have frequent involvement in larger breeds of dogs. None of the dogs studied had clinical signs causing their removal from the colony, further supporting the concept that spondylosis deformans as a bony response to disc degeneration is not a cause of severe pain or lameness.

Sudden deafness and the craniocervical transition

Morphological alterations of the cranio-cervical junction as a basilar impression, a ponticulus posterior, an atlas assimilation, an intervertebral narrowing, and spondylosis deformans were found radiologically. There was no difference to a healthy population. This means there are no correlations between static morphological changes of the craniocervical junction and sudden deafness. However, there was a statistically significant reduced mobility in the upper cervical spine in patients suffering from sudden deafness. Especially very high standard deviations in the atlanto-occipital and the atlanto-dental joint are interpreted as hypermobile as well hypomobile atlas joints. These results indicate a correlation between sudden deafness and functional pathology of the craniocervical junction.

Pathological changes in the cartilaginous plates in relation to intervertebral disc lesions.

Three hundred sixty-eight intervertebral discs (T11/12-L5/S1) were obtained at autopsy from 61 individuals (36 male, 25 female) ranging from 25 to 85 years of age, and subsequently examined histopathologically as sagittal-sectioned specimens with special reference to the cartilaginous plates. The numbers of cartilaginous foci found in fissured and ruptured regions of the plates were found to increase with age, and were considered to represent a restoration mechanism. Measurement of the cartilaginous plate/intervertebral disc antero-posterior length ratio showed a decrease with age in intervertebral discs from the same spinal level. Therefore, cartilage cell proliferation in the vertebral body rim was found following rupture of the outer layer of the annulus fibrosus and was thought to be one of the causes of spur formation in spondylosis deformans. When the changes in a cartilaginous plate with aging were accompanied by destructive processes of the vertebrae such as osteoporosis or metastatic cancer, an increase in the height of the disc, or ballooning, developed. On the other hand, when degeneration of the intervertebral disc increased and the nucleus pulposus collapsed, the height of the disc decreased. Thus, although the cartilaginous plate exhibits a restoration mechanism, degeneration with age progresses, resulting in various disc lesions.

脊椎疾患における骨シンチグラフィーの検討

The bone scintigram and the X-ray findings of metastatic bone tumors of the spine (31 cases) were compared with those of other diseases of the spine which have to be differentiated from them; such as compression fracture (20 cases), spondylosis deformans (14 cases), pyogenic spondylitis (10 cases), tuberculous spondylitis (10 cases), and following results were obtained;1. The characteristic pattern of the scintigram of the metastatic bone tumors of the spine is asymmetric abnormal concentration with multiple lesions and multilevel distribution.2. Compression fracture of the spine showed symmetric concentration, and not continuously when the lesions are multiple.3. Spondylosis deformans included some asymmetric cases, so diagnostication should be careful.4. Pyogenic spondylitis and tuberculous spondylitis tend to concentrate symmetrically on adjoining two vertebral bodies.

Degenerative diseases of the vertebral column.

Several distinct degenerative processes affect the articulations of the vertebral column; each is associated with characteristic radiographic and pathologic abnormalities, and many are accompanied by significant clinical manifestations. A discussion of these processes is best accomplished according to the type of joint that is involved. With regard to cartilaginous articulations, of which the intervertebral disk is most important, intervertebral (osteo)chondrosis, spondylosis deformans, and, in the cervical spine, uncovertebral arthrosis are the major degenerative disorders. Osteoarthritis (osteoarthrosis) affects any of the synovium-lined joints of the vertebral column, including the apophyseal, costovertebral, transitional lumbosacral, median atlantoaxial, and sacroiliac articulations. Fibrous articulations, ligaments, or entheses (sites of tendon or ligament attachment to bone) are involved in diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, ossification of the posterior spinal ligaments, and Baastrup disease. Of the many complications of these degenerative processes, alignment abnormalities (including segmental instability, degenerative spondylolisthesis, senile kyphosis, and degenerative scoliosis), intervertebral disk displacement, calcification or ossification, and spinal stenosis are the most important.

Degenerative Diseases of the Spine

SUMMARYThe spine may be involved by a variety of degenerative processes which demonstrate characteristic radiographic manifestations. Intervertebral osteochondrosis is associated with “vacuum” phenomena, disk space narrowing and vertebral sclerosis; spondylosis deformans is associated with osteophytosis; osteoarthritis manifests as joint space narrowing, bony sclerosis and hypertrophy, and rarely osseous fusion; ligamentous degeneration may be associated with calcification and ossification. Although any one degenerative process may exist as an isolated phenomenon, these processes often coexist; degenerative change or altered stress at one articulation of the spine frequently produces abnormal stress and associated degenerative changes at an adjacent articulation.DISH and OPLL are disorders of uncertain etiology characterized by ligamentous calcification or ossification; in addition, DISH shares many features with spondylosis deformans. An ossifying diathesis or bone‐forming tendency appears to underlie both of these disorders.Complications which may accompany degenerative diseases of the spine include abnormalities of vertebral alignment, intervertebral discal protrusions, and spinal stenosis.

On the pathogenesis of spondylosis deformans and arthrosis uncovertebralis: comparative form-analytical radiological and statistical studies on lumbar and cervical vertebral bodies.

To investigate the etiopathogenesis of the common clinical symptoms of the lower lumbar spine (LS) and cervical spine (CS) (lower back pain and local cervical spine syndrome), the dimensions of the third to fifth lumbar vertebral bodies (LVB) and the fifth to seventh cervical vertebral bodies (CVB) were studied quantitatively and morphometrically in frontal and sagittal planes, as a function of sex and age, in 105 human cadavers of both sexes aged between 16 and 91 years. The evaluation was done in X-ray pictures of 100-micron-thick polished bone sections with the aid of the Macro Facility of the Leitz Texture Analysis System. In each case, the maximum and minimum heights and widths and depths and the computed differences in heights, widths, and depths were determined. The results were evaluated statistically and compared within and between the two regions of the spine, using regression-correlation analyses. The heights, widths, and depths of the VB are all greater in men than in women; their behavior during ageing is, however, identical for both sexes. The heights of all the VB examined remain constant throughout life after termination of growth. The maximum widths and the width differences reveal an increase in both LVB and CVB in old age. All depth parameters reveal constancy in the case of the LVB but an increase in the case of the CVB in old age. The correlation coefficients of the maximum width of the VB within the spinal regions are very high in the LVB, but lower in the CVB. Between the two regions, in contrast, they are very low. This behavior suggests a superordinate action principle within each of the spinal regions which is based on characteristic anatomical construction and functional stressing. The static stressing of the LVB leads, laterally to disc protrusions. As a result of this, traction forces acting on the weak lateral elements of the anterior longitudinal ligament, stimulate the accretion of spondylotic osteophytes at the point of insertion of the ligament on the vertebral body. Anteriorly, in contrast, the particular strong anterior longitudinal ligament prevents such a remodelling process. Posteriorly, the longitudinal ligament is attached to the intervertebral discs, and can thus not stimulate the vertebral body to produce osteophytes. The dynamic stressing of the CVB leads laterally to friction between the VB in the region of the uncovertebral joints and to the formation of arthrotic osteophytes. Anteriorly, owing to the weak configuration of the anterior longitudinal ligament in this aspect, disc protrusion occur and, subsequently, spondylotic osteophytes accrete.

A study of vertebral osteophyte formation in the canine spine. II. Radiographic survey

One hundred and four canine spinal radiographs were reviewed and the osteophytes present were categorized into four types. It is speculated that the type 1 osteophyte represents spondylosis deformans and types 2, 3 and 4, a condition similar to one found in man, namely ankylosing hyperostosis.

Cadmium-induzierte wirbelsäulenankylose beim bladelchen

In two healthy and two diseased whitefish (Coregonus Wartmanni) taken from Lake Constance (FRG), ankylosis of the vertebral column was investigated both roentgenologically and histologically. Subsequent to the collapse and necrosis of the "residual" spinal cord within the intervertebral spaces, the outside edges of the vertebral bodies come into direct contact. The compression and tensile forces that occur to an increased extent as a result of the instability, lead not only to a remodelling of the vertebral bodies, but also to the formation of spondylotic osteophytes at the edges of the vertebrae and, as a result of periosteal stimulation, to the development of cellular hyaline cartilage, which fills the intervertebral spaces. Finally, as a result of perichondral ossification, a bony ankylosis develops. The humping of the spine of the fish due to the stiffening and shortening of the vertebral column, is accompanied by a restriction in the animal's freedom of movement. Muscular atrophic processes and disordered food uptake give rise to poor growth and a reduction in the weight of the diseased fish. These remodelling processes in the spine resulting from instability are specific to the periosteum and may be equated with the changes seen in man in spondylosis deformans. The possible cause of this vertebral column ankylosis is cadmium poisoning. The accumulation of this heavy metal obviously leads primarily to an irreversible toxic degeneration of the cells of the chorda dorsalis.

Spinal vacuum phenomena: anatomical study and review.

"Vacuum" phenomena relate to the accumulation of gas, principally nitrogen, in crevices within the intervertebral disk or vertebra. Their appearance does not uniformly indicate "degenerative" disk disease (primary intervertebral osteochondrosis), as gaseous collections may accompany other processes (vertebral osteomyelitis, Schmorl node formation, spondylosis deformans, vertebral collapse with osteonecrosis) affecting the disk and adjacent vertebral bodies. The location and appearance of the "vacuum" phenomena are helpful indicators as to the precise nature of the spinal disorder.

Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (Dish) and Spondylosis Deformans as Predictors of Cardiovascular Diseases and Cancer

The associations between DISH (diffuse skeletal Hyperostosis) and spondylosis deformans on the one hand and cardiovascular disease and cancer on the other were studied in a follow-up investigation of 6 167 persons in Finland. Mean duration of follow-up investigation of 6 167 persons in Finland. Mean duration of follow-up was 6.3 years. Similar methods were employed in the baseline and follow-up examination. A finding of DISH or of spondylosis was based on a reading of lateral X-ray films. Age-adjusted incidence of hypertension, ECG findings suggesting coronary heart disease (CHD), CHD history, enlargement of the heart determined by interpretation of photofluorograms, digitalis medication, cerebrovascular incidents and a history of cancer were compared in persons with and without DISH/spondylosis and free of these conditions at baseline. A further analysis, in which the data were analysed separately for DISH and spondylosis present at baseline and cases which developed during follow-up, was also carried out. A slight association between DISH and spondylosis, and hypertension probably due to obesity was observed. According to several criteria degenerative heart disease (CHD, heart enlargement, digitalis use) was associated with DISH and spondylosis, particularly in men. An association with heart enlargement was observed with DISH but not with spondylosis. No associations with cerebrovascular accidents or cancer were observed, but the paucity of cases prevents definite conclusions. Thus, there were some difference between spondylosis and DISH with regard to risk of future cardiovascular disease.

Spondylosis deformans and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) in Finland.

A population study with 6-year follow-up of 6 167 persons aged over 30 was carried out in nine population groups in Southern Finland. Estimation of spondylosis and DISH (Diffuse Skeletal Hyperostosis) was made from lateral chest X-rays. Reliability coefficients (kappa) in the repeat reading of 1 025 films ranged between 0.60 and 0.76. 214 cases of newly developed DISH and 1 080 of spondylosis were observed. With the exception of 4 new cases, all cases of DISH had developed in persons who had had spondylosis at baseline or developed it during the follow-up. The sexual incidence of spondylosis was fairly similar, i.e. 4 cases per 100 person years in both. Prevalence and incidence of spondylosis were highest in rural areas, in persons with strenuous occupations and in the obese. Incidence of DISH was 0.7 cases per 100 person years in men and 0.4 in women. DISH was equally common in all types of population. It was not associated with arduousness of occupation. Obesity and-to a lesser degree-diabetes mellitus and glucose intolerance were associated with DISH. Neither condition was associated with elevated serum calcium, serum cholesterol or bacteriuria. The study supports the concept that DISH is epidemiologically and pathogenetically different from spondylosis deformans.

Dynamic measurement of intraosseous pressures in lumbar spinal vertebrae with reference to spinal canal stenosis.

Dynamic measurements of intraosseous pressures in lumbar vertebrae were performed to determine the effects of positional change on lumbar vertebral circulation. The data collected are applicable to the question of spinal canal stenosis. The measurements were made in 23 patients, 12 of whom had spinal canal stenosis and 11 of whom had spondylosis deformans. The pressures within the spinous processes of L3 and L5 were measured continuously while the patients were prone, lying in the lateral position, and standing. The pressures ranged from approximately 10 to 30 mm Hg in the prone position and showed substantial changes with changes in position. In each subject, they were lowest in the prone, intermediate in the lateral, and highest in the standing position.

Spondylosis deformans of the lumbo-sacral joint in dogs.

ABSTRACTThe lumbo sacral angle and the relationship between L7 and the sacrum was measured in dogs with and without vertebral osteophyte formation, including some exhibiting evidence of a significant lesion at the lumbo sacral level. It was deduced that these parameters did not vary greatly between the different groups of dogs, and were therefore not helpful in the diagnosis of disease. The use of myelography was also discussed.

Visceral lesions in wild carnivores naturally infected with Spirocerca lupi.

Aortic lesions pathognomonic for Spirocerca lupi were found in 123 of 150 (82%) coyotes, Canis latrans, 23 of 66 (35%) bobcats, Felis rufus, one of five gray foxes, Urocyon cinereoargenteus and one of two red foxes, Vulpes vulpes, examined in West Texas. Adult nematodes in the esophagus were recovered from 11 of 150 (7%) coyotes. In the aorta there was initially an acute inflammatory response followed by an eosinophilic granuloma surrounding larval nematodes. The principal lesions was scarring of the aorta with replacement of elastic tissue with collagen. There was blockage of the intervertebral arteries, pitting and formation of granulomatous nodules on the intimal surface and scarring with diverticula and anuerysms in affected animals. The response to adult nematodes in the esophagus was usually a small eosinophilic granuloma surrounding the worms. There was no evidence of esophageal sarcoma or spondylosis deformans of thoracic vertebrae as reported in the dog.

Subclinical neurogenic bladder (author's transl)

There is a group of cases who show the clinical features of obstructive uropathy but neither anatomical obstruction nor neurological disorder. After introduction of urodynamic examinations to the lower urinary tract, this subclinical or occult neurogenic bladder dysfunction is frequently detected not only in the patients with severe obstructive lesions, but also in the patients with recurrent urinary tract infection and/or slight urination disorders.1. Consideration for possible neurological lesions:The age distribution chart of subclinical neurogenic bladder cases is very similar to that of neurogenically evident bladder dysfunction cases. The cases of neurogenic bladder clearly show the peculiar variety and incidence in each generation. Therefore, when the diagnosis of subclinical neurogenic bladder is made, it should be asked first of all whether the thorough neurological examinations have been made to find the causal diseases.2. Subdivision of vesico-urethral dysfunctions and the possible site of neurological lesions:Even in the same group of patients with the same neurological disease, such as meningomyelocele or cerebrovascular lesion, the urodynamic features are variable, and the nature of their vesico-urethral dysfunctions could be subdivided based on detrusor and sphincter reflex activities, detrusor-sphincter coordination, and voiding cystourethrographic pattern. However, these proceedings of classification do not necessarily simplify the complicated problem, “the decision of the site of neurological lesions”.3. Uninhibited bladder:The age distribution chart of all the cases with uninhibited bladder contraction shows the characteristic curve of parabola, in which the overwhelming majority of the cases are distributed in young children. Contrary to the high incidence of mechanical obstruction or organic disease in old patients, most of these children can not be proven to have any neurological defect, though organic urethral stenosis, including Lyon's Ring, is detectd in less than half of them.Even after excluding these mechanical obstruction or evident neurogenic bladder dysfunction, functional bladder neck obstruction or external sphincter spasm can be demonstrated in some of these uninhibited bladder cases, and all of them have positive urinary tract infection.4. The causal background of enuresis:Uninhibited bladder contraction can be detected in most of the enuretic children, but its incidence decreases rapidly after 10 years of age, and is replaced by other types of bladder dysfunction such as reflex bladder in elder children and adults.Anticholinergic drugs and/or Imipramine are used routinely in its treatment, but these drugs are not effective in the cases whose internal sphincter mechanism is weak. In these cases, combination of Imipramine or anticholinergic drugs with GOMT-inhibitor that elevates endogenous norepinephrine activities, thus increasing alpha-adrenergic response, are successful.5. Hypotonic or large bladder:If one excludes patients with obvious outflow obstruction, the detection rate of hypotonic or large bladder is high in patients with recurrent or persistent cystitis in females and chronic prostatitis in males.Although neurological lesions can not be detected by the usual neurological examination, spinal deformities on X-ray such as spina bifida occulta and spondylosis deformans are frequently visible both in children and adults. In middle aged people, the characteristic clinical histories, such as delivery in female, lumbar or ischiatric neuralgia, and perineal discomfort in both sexes are heard very often. In addition, disturbed detrusor and sphincter reflex activities, and abnormal decrease of UPP to alpha-blocker are constantly detected in these patients. These results are suggestive of the incomplete lesions of peripheral nerves concerned with micturition, probably at the level of the roots of the lumbar spinal nerves, cauda e

Spinal arthritis (spondylosis deformans) in the red fox, Vulpes vulpes, with some methodology of relevance to zooarchaeology

The skeletons of 252 adult foxes killed in suburban London were used to study the development of spondylosis deformans, a condition of the spinal column previously unrecorded in the Red fox. Although the average age of the specimens was only one year nine months, 34·5% of the population were found to be affected with spondylosis. The distribution of osteophytes on the vertebral column is shown, and factors such as age and trauma, which affect the development of the condition, are examined. The significance of such well-developed pathological conditions in a wild mammalian population is discussed.

Spinal cord neurinoma; report of 5 cases

During these 5 years we have experienced 5 cases of spinal cord neurinoma (2 men, 3 women). One was multiple and 4 were single. When classified by injured sites of the vertebrae, 2 were in the thoracic vertebrae, 2 in the lumbar ones and the rest (multiple case) was distributed in the changing part from the thoracic to lumbar vertebrae. Patients complained of lumbago, pain and numbness in the limb, and were diagnosed at the first medical examination as radicular ischias and spondylosis deformans. The period from the onset of symptoms to surgical treatment extended from 3 months to 12 years, though 4 cases were within 2 years. The other was of the multiple type, and as it was encountered by a traffic accident, its symptoms were complicated and to diagnose was very difficult. These may be the causes of spending a long time until surgical treatment.All the cases were treated by surgical total extirpation, and histologically diagnosed as neurinoma. Postoperative courses were uneventful.

Pain, with special reference to Spondylosis deformans and Osteoarthritis

Pain, with special reference to Spondylosis deformans and Osteoarthritis

Calcification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine among Japanese.

Eight cases of calcification of the longitudinal ligament are reported. This condition can cause severe neurological symptoms, but diagnosis is not difficult if the spine is radiographed. Although the etiology is not known, the relationship to spondylosis deformans is described. The reason why this is seen rather frequently among Japanese is not clear. Some unknown factors, possibly dietary, may influence the deposition of calcium or bone in the posterior longitudinal ligament.