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Routine Lab Test After Disc Removal Advised

Any time tissue is removed from the body it's sent to the lab and examined. There's been some question about this practice for disc material taken out of the spine. Should lab work be done every time? In this study scientists from Germany report on the pathology results of over 2,000 degenerative discs removed.

The discs had the usual tears, dead cells called necrosis, and scar formation expected in aging, damaged discs. In a small number of cases infection and malignancy were also found. These conditions were unknown to the patient or doctor.

In one case a 76-year old man with low back pain going down the leg had cancer that had spread or metastasized from the prostate to the spine. In a second case a 30-year old man presented with low back pain that also went down his leg. Disc material removed showed malignant lymphoma. The cancer had spread through the lymph nodes to the spleen, liver, and spine.

The authors say the unexpected but important findings from examination of tissue specimens shows that routine pathology testing of disc material is needed. Early detection of cancer and treatment right away can result in a better outcome for the patient.

The low cost of the pathology report far outweighs the savings in the quantity and quality of life for these patients.

References: Martin Hasselblatt, MD, et al. Frequency of Unexpected and Important Histopathological Findings in Routine Intervertebral Disc Surgery. In Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine. January 2006. Vol. 4. No. 1. Pp. 20-23.

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