Histological and Radiological Study of Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Maan Al-Abbasi; Hayder Qatran Raheem; Mohammed Hussein Assi

doi:10.54133/ajms.v8i1.1640

Authors

Maan Al-Abbasi Department of Human Anatomy, College of Medicine, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1624-1402
Hayder Qatran Raheem Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
Mohammed Hussein Assi Department of Human Anatomy, College of Medicine, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9852-8799

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54133/ajms.v8i1.1640

Keywords:

IVD degeneration, histologic degeneration score, MRI

Abstract

Background: It was believed that lumbar IVD degeneration is a main source of back pain. Understanding the exact association between degeneration and back pain is poorly established. Using histological scoring of degenerative changes and correlating these scores with MRI grading and pain duration can give an excellent awareness about the association between disc degeneration and back pain. Objective: To characterize the degree of histologic degeneration in terms of modified Histological Degeneration Score (HDS) in correlation with MRI grading of IVD degeneration and the duration of back pain. This may provide a reliable understanding of the role of IVD degeneration in back pain from both histologic and MRI perspectives. Methods: Excised tissue from the lumbar disc of 23 patients was graded according to the histological degeneration score (HDS). MRI images have been documented and graded, relying on the Pfirrmann grading system. The histologic grades were compared to MRI grades and back pain duration and disc level. Results: Higher HDS scores in disrupted discs are highly correlated with higher MRI grades (grades IV and V). There was a trend of severe disc degeneration associated with longer back pain duration, although it was not statistically significant. Gender shows no statistical correlation to the degree of degeneration. Conclusions: This study showed that histological IVD alterations in excised tissues can be graded in a reliable fashion based on HDS that positively coincides with MRI grades of IVD degeneration.

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