Schmorl's nodes
Schmorl's nodes | |
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Other names | Intraosseous disk herniation, Schmorl's nodules |
X-ray image of Schmorl's nodes in the lumbar spine | |
Specialty | Rheumatology |
Schmorl's nodes are protrusions of the
Signs and symptoms
These are protrusions of disc material into the surface of the vertebral body, which may contact the marrow of the vertebra and lead to inflammation. The protrusions are also associated with necrosis of the vertebral bone and the question of whether these protrusions and inflammation cause the necrosis, or whether the cartilage migrates into areas that have become necrotic due to other conditions, is under investigation.[citation needed]
They may or may not be symptomatic, and their link to back pain is controversial. Williams and colleagues note that this relationship may be due to lumbar disc disease, as the two commonly occur simultaneously.[2]
Causes
Schmorl's nodes are fairly common, especially with minor degeneration of the aging spine, but they are also seen in younger spines. Schmorl's nodes often cause no symptoms, but may simply reflect that "wear and tear" of the spine has occurred over time; they may also reflect that bone strength was at one time somewhat compromised, perhaps due to a vitamin D deficiency although this has yet to be confirmed with studies, or if heavy lifting is done at a young age before the vertebral bodies are completely ossified such as in young farm workers. There is also a strong heritability of Schmorl's Nodes (>70%).[2] While often non-complicating, Schmorl's nodes also tend to occur more often in cases of spinal deformity, specifically Scheuermann's disease. These defects are caused when the vertebra loses its normal function and is not moving/hypomobile/subluxated. During this time the forces normally distributed by the nucleus pulposus (the incompressible gelatinous center of the intervertebral disc) are concentrated in a certain area causing endplates to deform in a concave manner.[citation needed]
Diagnosis
Schmorl's nodes can be detected with X-rays, although they can be imaged better by
Management
Painful Schmorl's node can be diagnosed by discography, which demonstrates an intravertebral disc herniation with concomitant back pain. Surgical treatment should be considered in a patient with persistent disabling back pain. When surgical treatment is indicated, eradication of the intervertebral disc including Schmorl's node and segmental fusion are preferable.[5]
Eponym
Schmorl's nodes are named after German pathologist Christian Georg Schmorl (1861–1932).[6]
References
- Who Named It?
- ^ PMID 17530687.
- .
- PMID 8178234.
- PMID 14765146.
- ^ MedFriendly.com: Schmorl’s nodule
Further reading
- Plomp, Kimberly A; Viðarsdóttir, Una Strand; Weston, Darlene A; PMID 25927934.
- McFadden, K D; Taylor, J R (1989). "End-Plate Lesions of the Lumbar Spine". Spine. 14 (8): 867–9. S2CID 38418323.
- Peng, B.; Wu, W.; Hou, S.; Shang, W.; Wang, X.; Yang, Y. (August 2003). "The pathogenesis of Schmorl's nodes". The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. British Volume. 85-B (6): 879–882. PMID 12931811.
- Takahashi, K.; Miyazaki, T.; Ohnari, H.; Takino, T.; Tomita, K. (1995). "Schmorl's nodes and low-back pain". European Spine Journal. 4 (1): 56–9. S2CID 26284846.
- Sherrell, Zia (19 May 2022). "Schmorl nodes: Symptoms, causes, and treatment". Medical News Today.
- Kim, Hyeun Sung; Raorane, Harshavardhan Dilip; Sharma, Sagar Bhupendra; Wu, Pang Hung; Jang, Il-Tae (December 2020). "Infected Schmorl's node: a case report". BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 21 (1): 280. PMID 32359347.