The vascular pattern of the human dorsal root ganglion and its probable bearing on a compartment syndrome.
METHODS
A descriptive anatomic investigation of the vasculature of the dorsal root ganglions.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the blood supply of the various spinal ganglions is sufficiently consistent to derive a "generic" description and illustration that would be applicable to all spinal levels, and to ascertain whether this vascular pattern is inherently predisposed to the development of a closed compartment syndrome.


BACKGROUND
The few previous descriptions of spinal ganglionic vasculature do not include photographic evidence showing uniformity in the arterial distribution plan at all ganglionic levels. The venous drainage, although verbally reconstructed from microscopic sections, lacks any indication of its probable role in the etiology of a compartment syndrome.


METHODS
Three perinatal cadavers received latex/India ink injections, and their removed radiculomedullary systems were cleared, transilluminated, and macroscopically photographed. Paravertebral sections were grossly removed from the spines of two adult anatomic cadavers and received retrograde venous injections of a fine suspension of barium sulfate. The intervertebral foraminal tissues were then dissected from the bone, and radiographs of them were made. For comparative reference, a nerve root/ganglion complex of a rabbit was arterially injected with a more dilute preparation of the latex/India ink suspension.


RESULTS
Macroscopic photographs of perinatal dorsal root ganglions showed that the pattern of the intraganglionic arterial distribution was sufficiently consistent to allow a graphic rendering and labeling of a "generic" ganglion. The series of incomplete retrograde venous injections adequately indicated the pressure labile location of a periganglionic venous plexus.


CONCLUSIONS
The common development, structure, and function of the human dorsal root ganglions have resulted in the evolution of a uniform nutritional vascular pattern that can be conceptualized in a single visual image. Its plan of a primarily internal arterialization with a superficial venous drainage renders it vulnerable to the ischemic conditions consequent on external pressures and/or internal edematous swelling. This vascular arrangement may contribute to a propensity for the ganglion to develop a compartment syndrome when subjected to compression by periforaminal degenerative or neoplastic space-occupying lesions.
Parke
Wesley Wilkin
WW
University of Southern Illinois School of Medicine and The Orthopedic Institute of Doctors Hospital, Springfield, Illinois, USA. wparke@usd.edu
Whalen
Joseph Leo
JL
D000328:Adult; D000717:Anatomy, Comparative; D000818:Animals; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D002244:Carbon; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000209:etiology*; D004615:Embalming; D005260:Female; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007840:Latex; D008488:Medical Illustration; D011817:Rabbits
D004396:Coloring Agents; D007840:Latex; C028433:chinese ink; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D002244:Carbon