Histological study of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation in adolescents

Herniated intervertebral discs are rare in children and adolescents constit uting approximately 1-5% of all patients undergoing surgery For lumbar and lumbosacral intervertebral disc herniation. preceding traumata and congenit al anomalities have been reported as important factors for the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc prolapses in young patients. The present histologic al study is based upon 15 patients with lumbar disc herniation wit hin an a ge range from 14 to 19 years. Only in one case, was adequate trauma reporte d. All patients exhibited degenerative changes of the disc, similiar to tho se observed in adults. These changes were marked in 11 patients (73%). Thus, as known from adults, also in isolated traumatic disc herniation of a dolescence, pre-existing degeneration of the disc has to be considered. If such changes are present, trauma has the significance of only transitory de terioration of the previous disc degeneration.