Spine
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An experimental study to elucidate the initial factors in the pathogenesis of lumbar pain caused by disc herniation. ⋯ Application of nucleus pulposus to nerve root increased endoneurial fluid pressure and decreased blood flow in the dorsal root ganglia. This study's acute observations in the dorsal root ganglia may thus help to explain why disc herniations without compression of neural tissue are sometimes painful because similar pathologic findings are observed after only nucleus pulposus application to the nerve root. The authors further suggest that exposure of nerve roots to nucleus pulposus may establish a "compartment syndrome" in the dorsal root ganglia.