[A histopathological study on the intervertebral discs of idiopathic and paralytic scoliosis--abnormalities in transition from the notochordal nucleus to the fibrocartilaginous nucleus].

To elucidate morphologic events, 105 intervertebral discs in 22 patients with idiopathic scoliosis and 14 in four patients with paralytic scoliosis were histopathologically compared with 13 control intervertebral discs in 13 cases, including three fetuses. In control intervertebral discs, the notochordal area became smaller with age, and was almost completely occupied by fibrocartilagenous matrix at 16 years of age or more. In intervertebral discs of patients aged 19-33 with idiopathic scoliosis, many notochordal cells were seen and many areas without fibrocartilagenous matrix were found. In contrast, in intervertebral discs of patients aged 21-35 with paralytic scoliosis, there was no notochordal cells or defect of the fibrocartilagenous matrix. The results suggest an impairment of transition from the notochordal nucleus to the fibrocartilagenous nucleus in intervertebral discs in patients with idiopathic scoliosis, and that such abnormalities are related to the onset of idiopathic scoliosis.