• Spine · Mar 2007

    Motor neuron involvement in experimental lumbar nerve root compression: a light and electron microscopic study.

    • Shigeru Kobayashi, Kenzo Uchida, Takafumi Yayama, Kenichi Takeno, Tsuyoshi Miyazaki, Seiichiro Shimada, Masafumi Kubota, Eiki Nomura, Adam Meir, and Hisatoshi Baba.
    • Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, Fukui University School of Medicine, Fukui, Japan. kshigeru@fmsrsa.fukui-med.ac.jp
    • Spine. 2007 Mar 15;32(6):627-34.

    Study DesignThe aim of this study is to investigate changes in lumbar motor neurons induced by mechanical nerve root compression using an in vivo model. This study is to investigate the changes of lumbar motor neuron induced by mechanical nerve root compression using in vivo model.ObjectivesThe effect of axonal flow disturbance induced by nerve root compression was determined in lumbar motor neuron.Summary Of Background DataThe lumbar motor neuron should not be overlooked when considering the mechanism of weakness, so it is important to understand the morphologic and functional changes that occur in motor neurons of the spinal cord as a result of nerve root compression. However, few studies have looked at changes of neurons within the caused by disturbance of axonal flow, the axon reaction, chromatolysis, and cell death as a result of mechanical compression of the ventral root.MethodsIn mongrel dogs, the seventh lumbar nerve root was compressed for 1 week, or 3 weeks using a clip. Morphologic changes of the motor neurons secondary to the axon reaction were examined by light and electron microscopy.ResultsLight and electron microscopy showed central chromatolysis of motor neurons in the lumbar cord from 1 week after the start of compression. After 3 weeks, some neurons undergoing apoptosis were seen in the ventral horn.ConclusionIt is important to be aware that, in patients with nerve root compression due to lumbar disc herniation or lumbar canal stenosis, dysfunction is not confined to degeneration at the site of compression but also extends to the motor neurons within the lumbar cord as a result of the axon reaction. Patients with weakness of lower leg should therefore be fully informed of the fact that these symptoms will not resolve immediately after surgery.

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