Bone marrow normally consists of myeloid tissue. It fills the cavity of the bone. It is a blood-forming organ that produces red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. He takes an active part in the formation of immunity. Under the influence of various adverse factors, myeloid tissue can be replaced by fat. In this case, doctors talk about fatty degeneration of the bone marrow. Why are such changes dangerous? And how to treat such a pathology? We will consider these issues in the article.
Why is it dangerous
Most often, patients have fatty degeneration of the bone marrow of the vertebrae. Dystrophic changes in this organ negatively affect the process of blood formation and the condition of the musculoskeletal system. In humans, the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets decreases. This can lead to the following consequences:
- A drop in red blood cell count causes anemia.
- Violation of the formation of white blood cells. This leads to impaired immunity. The patient decreases resistance to infections.
- Due to the low platelet count in a person, blood coagulation is impaired.
This leads to a deterioration in the supply of organs with oxygen and can cause a violation of their function. In advanced cases, pathological changes in the vessels occur due to weakening of blood flow.
In the future, dystrophic changes extend to the ligaments of the spinal column. This can lead to narrowing and compression of the spinal cord.
Causes
Most often, the cause of myeloid tissue dystrophy is age-related changes in the body. Plots of bone marrow fatty degeneration are observed in many patients over 65 years of age. At this age, dystrophic processes quickly develop in the body.
In elderly patients, approximately half of the myeloid tissue is replaced by fat. This is considered a natural process and is not a pathology.
If foci of fatty degeneration in the bone marrow are noted at a young age, then most often this is associated with a disease or intoxication. The following causes of pathological changes can be distinguished:
- oncological diseases;
- metabolic disorders;
- chronic infections;
- osteochondrosis;
- Shien-Simmonds syndrome (decreased secretion of pituitary hormones);
- intoxication with benzene and arsenic;
- long-term use of drugs: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antihypertensive drugs, sleeping pills, barbiturate group, cytostatics, antibiotics and sulfonamides.
Symptomatology
Fatty bone marrow degeneration can be asymptomatic for a long time. In the early stages, there is a decrease in immunity and susceptibility to infections. Often there are prolonged bleeding, even from small wounds. Patients complain of increased fatigue and weakness.
Patients do not always associate these manifestations with pathology. However, such symptoms indicate a violation of the formation of blood cells in the bone marrow. Often degenerative changes are detected only at the stage of complications.
If fat changes in the bone marrow are associated with osteochondrosis, then patients complain of discomfort and pain in the back, stiff muscles in the morning, asthenia.
Complications
In advanced cases, fatty degeneration of the bone marrow can lead to the following complications:
- Hypoplastic and aplastic anemia. This condition is accompanied by a sharp inhibition of the formation of blood cells. In the analysis of blood, there is a significant decrease in red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. The patient has frequent bleeding and manifestations of anemia (weakness, dizziness, fatigue). Without treatment, this pathology can be fatal.
- Osteoporosis. Due to fat deposits in the bone marrow, collagen production and calcium absorption are disrupted. This leads to increased fragility of the bones. Patients have pain in the spine, scoliosis, stoop.
- Spinal stenosis. With fatty degeneration, degeneration of ligaments and cartilage develops. As a result, the spinal canal narrows and squeezes the spinal cord. It threatens paresis and paralysis.
Diagnostics
The main diagnostic method for this pathology is MRI of the spine. In the picture you can see the bone marrow with signs of fatty degeneration. In addition, a clinical blood test is prescribed. A decrease in the number of red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells may indicate fatty degeneration of the hematopoietic organ.
Conservative treatment
If fatty bone marrow degeneration develops in old age, then this pathology cannot be completely cured. Such changes are irreversible. You can only stop the progression of dystrophy.
If pathological changes are caused by intoxication, infections, tumors and endocrine ailments, then the underlying disease must be treated.
As we have already mentioned, most often foci of fatty degeneration are formed in the vertebral bodies. Such pathological changes are accompanied by pain and discomfort in the back. In this case, treatment should be aimed at relieving pain and improving the condition of cartilage and ligaments. The following groups of drugs are prescribed:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: "Diclofenac", "Ibuprofen". They help eliminate back pain.
- Blockades with Novocain. This treatment method is used for severe pain.
- Muscle relaxants: Sirdalud, Midokalm. Drugs help relieve muscle spasms.
- Chondroprotectors: Chondrolon, Chondrex, Teraflex. These medications help restore damaged cartilage.
- Calcium preparations. Assign to patients with severe osteoporosis.
- Medicines that stimulate the blood formation process: Maltofer, Sorbifer Durules, Folacin, Ferretab Comp. They are prescribed for signs of anemia.
The doctor selects an individual diet for the patient. It is recommended to eat foods rich in gelatin, iron and vitamin B12.
After stopping the pain syndrome, therapeutic exercises are prescribed. The treatment is supplemented with physiotherapy: massage, electrophoresis, acupuncture, magnetotherapy.
Surgical methods
Surgical treatment is rarely used. The operation is indicated only for stenosis of the spinal canal. In this case, the surgeon trims those sections of the vertebral discs that compress the nerves.
However, most often, fatty degeneration is subject to conservative therapy. Restoring normal bone marrow tissue is possible only in the initial stages of the disease in young patients. In old age, timely treatment allows you to stop the spread of pathology.