Chemonucleolysis. A ten-year retrospective study

• Published in: Clinical orthopaedics and related research no. 206; p. 61
• Main Authors: Thomas, Jr, J C, Wiltse, L L, Widell, Jr, E H, Spencer, 3rd, C W, Zindrick, M R, Field, B T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.05.1986
• Subjects: Chymopapain - therapeutic use; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Intervertebral Disc Displacement - diagnostic imaging; Intervertebral Disc Displacement - drug therapy; Lumbar Vertebrae - diagnostic imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Radiography; Retrospective Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0009-921X
• DOI: 10.1097/00003086-198605000-00013

An 11.8-year median follow-up evaluation of 42 "ideal" patients who had chemonucleolysis was obtained by examination, questionnaire, and roentgenograms. The excellent and good rating of this group was 81%, as compared to the total of 135 patients previously evaluated at 42 months and showing 85.2%. No complications were noted. Disc space rewidening, after initial narrowing, was observed in eight patients and 26% of all discs injected. While all who showed rewidening had excellent results, widening was not necessary to achieve an excellent rating. Marked narrowing and sclerosis of intervertebral margins were seen in many excellent and good clinical results. Chemonucleolysis represents a viable option as definitive treatment for a herniated nucleus pulposus in carefully selected patients.