Lumbar erosive intervertebral osteochondrosis. Anatomico-radiological study of a case.

A radiological and anatomical case study of intervertebral osteochondrosis is presented. X-rays reveal its evolution from an isolated Schmorl's node to a more diffuse lumbar intervertebral osteochondrosis. Macroscopical and microscopical post-mortem examination shows various degrees of disc deterioration with cartilaginous plate flaw and localized or diffuse intravertebral disc herniation. A discussion on the origin of this cartilaginous plate weakness and on the respective significance of the X-ray and biopsy in the differential diagnosis between intervertebral osteochondrosis and infectious spondylitis follows.