Frequency of unexpected and important histopathological findings in routine intervertebral disc surgery

Journal of Neurosurgery. Spine
Martin HasselblattWerner Paulus

Abstract

The value of routine histopathological examination of intervertebral disc tissue has been questioned, but sufficient numbers of studies have yet to be conducted to provide a definitive sense of its importance. The aim of this study was to investigate the nature and frequency of unexpected histopathological findings in intervertebral disc surgery. The authors conducted a retrospective examination of consecutive surgical specimens obtained in patients with benign indication for discectomy at four neurosurgical centers. Surgical specimens obtained during 2102 operations (2177 intervertebral discs) in 2017 patients were evaluated. In addition to one case of cavernous malformation, two specimens (obtained in 0.1% of patients) revealed unexpected pathological diagnoses of malignancy (metastasized prostate carcinoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma). The results of this retrospective study suggest that routine histopathological examination of specimens obtained during intervertebral disc procedures is both justified and cost effective.

References

Nov 1, 1978·Journal of Neurosurgery·L F Hirsh, B E Finneson
Jun 4, 1998·The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume·R Jensen, T Faciszewski
Sep 2, 1998·Journal of Neurosurgery·D M GrzybickiS S Raab
Sep 5, 1998·American Journal of Clinical Pathology·S S Raab

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Nov 24, 2006·Journal of Neurosurgery. Spine·Adam S Wu, Daryl R Fourney
Dec 8, 2007·The Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences. Le Journal Canadien Des Sciences Neurologiques·Adam S Wu, Daryl R Fourney
Jun 5, 2014·The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume·Joseph W GreeneGiles R Scuderi

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

B-Cell Lymphoma

B-cell lymphomas include lymphomas that affect B cells. This subtype of cancer accounts for over 80% of non-Hodgkin lymphomas in the US. Here is the latest research.

Cavernous Hemangioma

Cavernous hemangioma is a blood vessel defect or benign tumor that leads to leakage of blood to the surrounding tissues. This can occur in several organs including the brain, which can lead to seizures. Discover the latest research on cavernous hemangiomas here.