HERNIATED CERVICAL INTERVERTEBRAL DISCS - HISTOLOGICAL AND IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS

We examined the histological and immunohistochemical changes within an d around-herniated cervical intervertebral discs. A total of 28 hernia ted discs were harvested en bloc during anterior decompressive surgeri es and 'examined together with the surrounding tissues. The presence o f herniated discs correlated with the degeneration of cartilaginous en dplate and torn annulus fibrosus. Formation of new blood vessels aroun d the herniated discs was detected, using von Willebrand factor antibo dy, in seven (25% of all) uncontained hernias and eight (38%) containe d hernias. Immunohistochemical studies using specific antibodies showe d the presence of cells positive for matrix metalloproteinase-3 (chond rocytes), CD68 (macrophages and monocytes), and interleukin-1 beta (en dothelial cells), in cervical disc hernias. Our results suggested that the magnitude and degree of immunohistochemical tissue reaction in ce rvical disc herniation correlate with the extent as well as location o f herniated disc material.