Effect of experimental root sheath compression on dura.
The cause of dural scars and nerve root degeneration sometimes associated with herniated nucleus pulposus has not been explained. We studied experimentally the effect on the dura of its compression. Four animals had laminectomy and placement of a bone chip to elevate the left L4 nerve root sheath. As controls, four animals had laminectomy alone. Four weeks later, treated animals had no more arachnoid fibrosis than controls. The study does not support the hypothesis that chronic mechanical compression causes dural fibrosis.
Haughton
V M
VM
Department of Radiology and Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226.
Nguyen
C M
CM
Ho
K C
KC
D000818:Animals; D001099:Arachnoid / Q000473:pathology; D001100:Arachnoiditis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000473:pathology*; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications*; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000473:pathology*