Sections show fragments of fibrocartilaginous tissue (intervertebral disc material) displaying severe degenerative changes. The cartilaginous matrix is fragmented and fibrillated, with areas of granular eosinophilic degeneration. The chondrocytes exhibit reactive changes, including clustering (chondrone formation/cloning), while other areas show empty lacunae (ghost cells) indicating necrosis. There is abundant necrotic debris and granular basophilic material disrupting the cartilage architecture together with focal dense infiltration by many neutrophils, cell debris, lymphocytes,, plasma cells and histocytes. No evidence of specific granulomas. No evidence of atypia or malignancy.
Pelvic CT scan: lower L1-L2 vertebrae sclerotic destructive bone changes with bilateral paravertebral mild enhanced wall retroperitoneal focal mass lesion measuring about 89 x57 mm in diameter extended posteriorly involving spinal canal Suspected of aggressive spondylodiscitis less likely TB.
Bone fragments collectively measured 3.3x3x1 cm, totally embedded.
Intervertebral disc, biopsy: