Spontaneous regression of lumbar disc hernia: Original image

Kasimcan O., Kaptan H.

TURKIYE KLINIKLERI TIP BILIMLERI DERGISI, vol.28, no.3, pp.422-424, 2008 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 28 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2008
  • Journal Name: TURKIYE KLINIKLERI TIP BILIMLERI DERGISI
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.422-424
  • Keywords: lumbar vertebrae, intervertebral disk displacement, magnetic resonance imaging
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: No

Abstract

The most important issue is to perform suitable surgery to the correct patient at the correct time. We should not consider immediate surgery for disc hernia patients except for emergency indications. Cauda equina syndrome, progressive motor deficit and the pain uncured with narcotics are the main emergency surgery indications. Spontaneous regression is common particularly for the lumbar region. However, the spontaneous regression mechanism is unclear. Dehydration, enzymatic degradation and phagocytosis, and the retraction of hernia disc in annulus fibrosus are the suggested mechanisms. Magnetic resonance (MR) images support the dehydration. Conservative treatment was effective in three lumbar disc henna cases that did not have emergency surgery indication. Three lumbar disc hernia cases who had spontaneous regression and their MR findings are here presented.