Abstract
The objective of the current study was to test the hypothesis that crush injury to nerve root increases endoneurial fluid pressure (EFP) and decreases blood flow in the associated dorsal root ganglion (DRG). A total of 21 adult, female SpragueβDawley rats had their left L5 nerve root and DRG exposed. The L5 nerve root was clamped for 2 s with a vascular suture clip just proximal to the DRG (compression group). Shamβoperated animals without compression were used for control (control group). EFP was recorded with a servoβnull micropipette system using a glass micropipette with tip diameter of 4 ΞΌm before and after 3 h of treatment. After the final measurement of EFP, DRG was excised and processed for histology. Blood flow in the DRG was continuously monitored by laser Doppler flow meter for 3 h. Three hours after treatment, EFP was 4.7 Β± 2.7 cm H~2~O in the compression group and 2.2 Β± 1.2 cm H~2~O in the control group (P < 0.05). Edema was the principal pathologic findings seen consistently in the DRG from animals in the compression group. Blood flow in the compression group was reduced 10 min after compression. This reduction was statistically significant compared with that of the control (P < 0.01). An acute compression to the nerve root increased endoneurial edema, increased EFP in the associated DRG, and reduced DRG blood flow. This combination of increased EFP and decreased blood flow in the DRG may result in neuronal ischemia and sensory dysfunction. These acute pathophysiologic changes may thus have a role in the pathogenesis of low back pain and sciatica due to disc herniation and spinal canal stenosis. Β© 2004 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.