[Changes in the content and composition of phospholipids in various portions of the spinal cord in patients with tuberculosis of the spine].

Content and composition of phospholipids in various sections of the spinal marrow were investigated in patients with spinal tuberculosis. In the patients with tuberculous spondylitis, changes in the content of phospholipids in the spinal marrow were observed which were especially pronounced in the injured areas. The changes varied in different patients: in some patients, the content of the lipids was changed insignificantly while in the others it was markedly lowered (5-6-fold). Investigation of the phospholipid composition revealed in some patients decreased relative contents of the phosphatidyl ethanolamine plasmogenic form characteristic of myelin. It was suggested that the spinal marrow cells had undergone destruction in the injured areas.