Study design

All experimental procedures were reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at Weill Cornell Medicine (ethic’s protocol number: 2013–0110). Animals were housed in a facility accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) in compliance with applicable NY State, and Federal regulations.

This study is a subgroup analysis of an in vivo study evaluating tissue engineered intervertebral discs implanted in the beagle cervical spine [16] after undergoing a discectomy procedure. In this report we only include the control group of the main study which simply underwent a discectomy procedure without disc implantation.

Six skeletally mature male, sexually intact, purpose-bred beagles were included. They were obtained from Covance Research Products. At the time of surgery, the animals were 1 to 1.5 years old weighing between 15 and 25 kg.

All animals were assessed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 4, 8 and 16 weeks post surgery. After 16 weeks all animals were euthanized and specimens were harvested for ex vivo histology and radiographic analysis.

Discectomy procedure

All animals were sedated with acepromazine hydromorphone cocktail given intramuscularly (IM). Anesthesia was induced with ketamine/midazolam cocktail given intravenously (IV), and maintained with a combination of IV fentanyl/lidocaine/ketamine and inhaled isoflurane. After endotracheal intubation, animals were placed in dorsal recumbency with the neck carefully extended supporting the nasal bridge. The surgical site was prepared by clipping hair and alternating chlorhexidine with alcohol solution three times. Each animal was preoperatively given acefazolin IV and repeated 2 h later during the surgical procedure.

A ventral midline incision was made from the base of the larynx to the sternum. The paired sternocephalicus and sternohyoideus muscles were separated by blunt dissection, exposing the trachea. Retractors were then positioned to retract the carotid sheath laterally and the trachea, and esophagus medially. The surgical level was identified by palpation of the prominent transverse process of C6. Small curved hemostats were used to separate the longus coli muscle overlying the ventral AF at C5-C6. The subsequent steps were carried out with a surgical microscope. After the ventral part of the AF has been incised (about 5 mm length) and resected with a scalpel and a Kerrison rongeur, the NP was completely extracted using a small tartar scraper, a 4–0 bone curette, and a Kerrison rongeur. Lastly, muscle fascia, subcutaneous tissue and skin were sutured.

Qsualitative magnetic resonance imaging

T1 flash sequences (TR = 3 ms, TE = 4.9 ms, slice thickness = 0.9 mm) with high bone contrasts were used to evaluate possible kyphotic or lordodic deformity changes of the operated segments. All discectomized discs were compared to adjacent levels control levels C6/C7.

Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging

NP hydration and size were assessed with quantitative MRI using sagittal multislice multiecho pulse sequence (TR = 2000 ms, TE = 12 ms, NEX = 2, number of echoes = 12, echo spacing = 12 ms, slice thickness = 1 mm, and matrix size = 320 × 320, resolution: 125 μm × 125 μm × 1 mm). Images were obtained at week 4, 8 and 16.

NP hydration was assessed by its average T2 relaxation time, NP size by the amount of MRI NP voxels it is composed of.

The following algorithm previously developed by our group [19] was used for radiological segmentation of the NP:

A standard region of interest (ROI) measuring approximately 4 mm² (comprising 300 voxels) was drawn within the center NP of the healthy disc proximal to the experimental segments. The average T2-relaxation time (T2-RT) of that ROI was measured, and this value minus 3 standard deviations was used to set a subtraction threshold for all voxels in that slice. Voxels with T2 values lower than the threshold were subsequently subtracted. As a result, only voxels with T2 values representing NP tissue remained in the disc space [19]. Subsequently, NP size was calculated by the amount of NP voxels it is composed of. The NP hydration was calculated by measuring the average T2 relaxation time of those NP voxels.

Histological assessment

Animals were euthanized 16 weeks post-surgery by pentobarbital overdose IV. Cervical spines were harvested from C4-C7 and fixed using 10% neutralized formalin supplemented with 1% cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC). Spinal segments were decalcified, cut in a mid-sagittal plane and transferred to 75% ethanol. Subsequently segments were embedded in paraffin, cut to 5-μm thickness, and stained with Picrosirius Red, Safranin-O and Alcian Blue.

Radiographic measurements

Radiographic images were performed in a digital radiographic cabinet (Faxitron). They were obtained 16 weeks post discectomy ex vivo directly after the cervical spine was collected for histological analysis. Images were used for disc height and foraminal height measurements. The IVD height was expressed as a disc height index, calculated by dividing disc height by adjacent vertebral body height on the basis of the modified method of Lu et al. [22]. Foraminal height was measured in pixels using the software pixel stick. Height of the discectomized segments is presented in percentage of the distal healthy adjacent segment (C6/C7). In contrast to quantitative MR imaging, we used the distal adjacent segment as a control for radiographic measurements. This is because two specimens were harvested at the C4/C5 disc space instead of the C4 vertebral body. Thus, this level could not be used for radiographic assessments in all specimens.

Data analysis and statistics

For the analyses for continuous outcomes in disc height index, NP size, and NP hydration, generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used to assess main effects and interaction factors of disc group and longitudinal assessment of time. Statistical analysis was performed with IBM SPSS Statistics 22 (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA). P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Radiographic imaging

Healthy control discs showed no signs of degenerative changes on radiographs. Average DHI of healthy discs was 0.15 at week 16. Discectomized segments appeared collapsed at 16 weeks (Fig. 1a, b), showing a significantly lower DHI of 0.06 (<0.05) compared to adjacent control segments. This represents a 60% percent drop in disc height compared to adjacent controls.

Disc height reduction led to a subsequent decrease in neuroforaminal height (Fig. 1a, b).At 16 weeks the average height was 24% less in discectomized segments (C5/C6) compared to adjacent healthy controls at C6/C7.

Morphological changes included endplate sclerosis (Fig. 1c). Discectomized endplates became more radiopaque compared to healthy segments making the trabecular pattern of the endplate cancellous bone significantly less distinct. Discectomized segments also showed signs of spondylosis, ventrally at the the cranial vertebral body of the operated segment (Fig. 1c).

There was no significant angulation or kyphotic deformity present at operated segments. No fusion occurred according to radiographic images.

Qualitative MR imaging

After 16 weeks, healthy adjacent discs (C6/C7) showed no signs of degenerative changes. Five discs displayed a Pfirrmann degeneration grade I, indicating a completely healthy disc with a homogenous bright hyperintense Nucleus Pulposus on T2 weighted images (Fig. 2a). The hypointense AF showed a clear border to the nucleus. No bulging of the AF was present. One specimen showed a Pfirrmann grade of II which represents a healthy disc with a less homogenous bright NP showing a nuclear cleft, which is a horizontal gray band representing fibrous tissue dissecting the nucleus [18]. According to the canine specific Seiler grading, adjacent discs (C6/C7) of five animals were evenly graded as I indicating completely healthy discs. One specimen was graded as II for displaying a nuclear cleft.

At week 16 all discectomized IVDs (C5/C6) showed a Pfirrmann grade of V, representing terminal degenerative changes with a completely collapsed discs space and “black disc” sign (hypointense on T2 weighted images) (Fig. 2a). According to the canine specific Seiler grading all C5/C6 discs were evenly graded as V indicative of progressed degenerative changes.

In contrast to healthy endplates (C6/C7) which appear hypointense (dark) on T2 weighted images, endplates in discectomized discs became hyper intense which is indicative of type II Modic changes.

Disc protrusions without significant spinal cord or nerve root compression were also visible (Fig. 2b).

The collapsed disc space also led to a decrease in size of the neuroforamen which narrowed the space for the exiting nerve root (Fig. 2c). However, a clear sign of nerve root impingement was not visible.

Quantitative MR imaging

Healthy nuclei showed an average size of 361 NP voxels. Average T2 relaxation time (correlating to NP hydration) was 372 ms. Both did not significantly change over 16 weeks.

Discectomized discs showed a significant decrease in NP size compared to healthy disc with an average NP voxel count of 16 (p < 0.05) (4 specimen were 0) by week 4 and 2,25 (p < 0.05) (4 specimen were 0) by week 16 (Fig. 3a, b). Compared to healthy discs, hydration of the residual NP decreased by 4 weeks as T2 relaxation time decreased to an average of 113 ms (p < 0.05). The average T2 relaxation time on week 16 was further reduced to an average of 42 ms (p < 0.05).

High bone contrast MR imaging

No significant kyphotic or lordotic deformity was observed after discectomy procedures at 16 weeks.

Histology

After 16 weeks, healthy C6/C7 discs showed no signs of degenerative changes. The AF was composed of lamellar parallel aligned fibers and spindle shaped fibroblasts and appeared well organized (Fig. 4a). The Nucleus Pulposus was predominantly composed of notochordal cells. The nucleus stained intensively with Safranin O for proteoglycans. The endplates had a regular homogenous thickness and cartilage structure with chondrocytes embedded in a proteoglycan rich matrix (indicated by intense Safranin O staining) (Fig. 4a). The average Bergknut degeneration grading score was 0 out of 24 indicating no degenerative changes.

Discectomized C5/C6 discs in contrast showed progressed signs of degeneration after 16 weeks. The AF was partially ruptured; cleft formation was present (Fig. 4b). The AF appeared less organized, displaying alterations of its lamellar structure under polarized light (Fig. 5). The AF cell composition changed from fibroblasts to chondrocytes, a typical degenerative change described as chondrocyte metaplasia (Fig. 6). All specimen showed no residual NP tissue in the disc space (Fig. 4b).

Both endplates were thinned and disrupted. The cartilage endplate completely disappeared (Fig. 7) and bony endplate (subchondral bone) displayed sclerotic changes (Fig. 4b). There was no new bone formation present on histological sections. The average degeneration grade according to the Bergknut classification was 19.4 out of 24 indicating terminal degenerative changes.

NP changes

The NP plays a crucial role for segmental biomechanical functionality. It has a relatively high proteoglycan content leading to a high water binding capability [24]. The water content allows the NP to establish a hydrostatic pressure, which separates both endplates thereby maintaining disc height [24]. The relatively high water content is also responsible for the nuclear viscoelastic mechanical properties which facilitates its important damping quality [25].

According to MR based NP voxel count measurements, over 95% of the nucleus were removed from the discectomy procedure by week 16. The morphological appearance of “black discs” on T2 weighted images confirmed these quantitative assessments. Loss of NP T2 signal intensity represents loss of tissue hydration [26, 27]. It is a critical degenerative parameter according to the MR Pfirrmann grading, indicating terminal degenerative changes. Histological sections confirmed the almost complete loss of NP tissue, which is also a critical degenerative parameter [28].

AF changes

The AF, with its complex multilamellar fiber structure, is crucial for maintaining segmental stability by opposing axial rotation as well as lateral bending [29]. It works in tandem with the NP by opposing nuclear hydrostatic pressure facilitating maintenance of disc height.

Compared to the NP, there are less typical radiological signs for the AF to describe degenerative changes such as signal alterations. However, MR imaging showed bulging of the AF towards the spinal canal which is an important degenerative parameter according to canine specific Seiler MR grading [18]. Annular bulging most likely developed due to the loss of disc height and the resulting outwards displacement of annular fibers. Reduced disc height as well as reduced damping properties due to NP loss leads to redistribution of axial load and shear forces to the AF which results in structural changes [30, 31]. Histological sections of the AF in our study revealed early signs of these structural changes with cleft formation, reduced organization of lamellar structure and chondrocyte metaplasia.

Cartilage endplate

The cartilage endplate, with its high proteoglycan content, allows for high solute diffusivity that facilitates nutrition supply to the avascular NP [32, 33]. The endplate also has a mechanical function, as it absorbs hydrostatic pressure from the NP and works as a barrier to prevent bulging of the NP into the endplate [34].

Similar to the AF, there are no established radiographic signs to describe cartilage endplate degeneration. There are however indirect MR signs of endplate pathology. Modic changes, specifically type II, are described as increased T2 signal intensity in the vertebral body bone tissue adjacent to the endplate [34]. The histopathological correlate of type II Modic changes are disruption of the end plate with signs of an active inflammatory reaction [34]. Both increased endplate T2 signal intensity as well as disruption of the endplate on histological sections were seen in discectomized discs in our study. Modic changes have shown to correlate with back pain in humans [35]; a potential clinical relevance has so far not been studied in the canine spine. Endplate disruption can impact its physiological function. Disrupted endplates demonstrated an impaired ability to contain hydrostatic pressure from the NP which could result in disc height loss [36]. Endplate discontinuity has also shown to induce degenerative changes of IVDs, likely by impacting nutrient transport to nuclear cells [34, 37, 38].

It is unclear if endplate damage and thinning resulted from a post discectomy degenerative process or from the procedure itself. While it is possible this was the result of iatrogenic damage, it is unlikely since we took great care to not damage the endplates during discectomy procedures.

Comparison to literature

To our knowledge, this is the first in vivo study evaluating degenerative changes following ventral discectomy procedures performed with a standard surgical technique. Shores et al. studied degenerative changes of canine spinal segments after disc fenestration using a needle puncture technique with partial Nucleus Pulposus aspiration. Similar to our study, there was radiographic evidence of disc height narrowing 24 weeks post surgery. Histological sections showed no inflammation, dissolution or fibrotic changes on the residual NP. The only histological changes described were vascular and fibrous tissue invasion of the punctured AF [13]. Compared to our study, it appears that smaller puncture defects with retained NP tissue induce less degenerative changes than incising the AF with complete NP removal. However, similar studies in rabbit and rat demonstrated that puncture defects lead to terminal degenerative changes over time [16, 39]. They have also shown that the AF has a very low intrinsic healing capability [40, 41] and that residual NP tissue can herniate through annular needle puncture defects [16] over time.

While we did not evaluate mechanical alterations of discectomized discs, others have conducted mechanical studies on canine cervical cadavers undergoing C5/C6 discectomy procedure. They demonstrated a significant increase in flexion/extension range of motion post surgery indicating that these procedures may have a destabilizing effect of the involved segment [8, 12].

Clinical considerations

We could demonstrate that discectomy procedures as described are effective in completely removing NP tissue which makes herniations at prophylactically treated segments less likely to occur.

This corroborates studies showing a lower reherniation rate in animals treated with prophylactic fenestrations [42, 43].

However, discectomy procedures induced degenerative changes in a relatively short period of time. The most significant change was loss of disc height which led to a subsequent loss of neuroforaminal height. Reduced neuroforaminal height can lead to nerve root impingement which subsequently can cause radicular symptoms such as referred pain, muscle weakness or loss of sensation. Discectomy procedures also lead to protrusion of the AF into the spinal canal which could in certain cases cause symptomatic spinal cord compression. However, neither disc protrusion nor neuroforaminal stenosis led to significant impingement of neural structures after 16 weeks. There was also no deformity present on MR or radiographic imaging. It has to be kept in mind that 16 weeks is a short term follow up and that spinal degenerative changes such as spinal canal stenosis or deformity have a tendency to occur and progress over time.

Considering the degenerative effect demonstrated in our study, prophylactic discectomies in the form of fenestration procedures should be carefully considered specifically when they involve segments without significant preoperative radiographic signs of degeneration. Besides degenerative changes, fenestration procedures have further reported disadvantages such as longer surgery times, higher morbidity with increased postoperative pain and deficits as well as complications such as seroma formation or life threatening hemorrhages into the thorax cavity potentially leading to postoperative death [43].

Limitations

The main limitation of this study is the relative short term follow up. Degenerative changes described could progress over time. Another limitation is that healthy discs underwent discectomies whereas in clinical practice treated discs often already display signs of degeneration, which could alter histological appearance. Another limitation is that only one level underwent a discectomy. Prophylactic discectomies are often performed on several levels, which could worsen spinal malalignment.