Spontaneous Regression of Disc Prolapse – An Underlooked Phenomena: A Case Report and Literature Review

Introduction: Intervertebral disc prolapse is a very common abnormality found in the population, that can manifest in a variety of complaints like back pain, radiculopathy, and even to the extent that it might lead to more adverse neurological deficits. Symptoms improve in majority of patients only with conservative treatment. However, some patients may require surgical intervention. In some cases, spontaneous regression of herniated disc can be seen. Thus, the interest in the phenomenon of spontaneous resorption of the herniated discs has increased, which raised the controversy regarding managing such patients. Here, we report a case of a huge lumbosacral spontaneous disc resolution at the level of L5-S1 in which clinical improvement was associated with a significant decrease in the size of a huge, herniated disc. In addition, we performed a comprehensive review of literature of all reported cases of spontaneous disc resolution to provide an updated discussion of such an underlooked phenomena. Case Report: A 53-year-old female not known to have any medical illness presented at the Neurosurgery Clinic with complaints of chronic back pain for six years which was progressing and radiating to both of her lower extremities (right more than left) and had become more intense in the last year. It was slightly relieved by simple analgesics and aggravated by sitting or lying down. There was no history of trauma, weaknesses, or sphincteric disturbances. Upon evaluation in our clinic, local exam revealed lower back midline tenderness at the level of L5-S1 vertebrae. No tenderness was observed in the paravertebral area or facets. Straight leg raising test was positive at 70º in the right side and 90º in the left, normal power, intact sensation, normal tone, and reflexes. Negative Babinski and clonus was noted in both limbs. MRI lumbar spine showed significant right paracentral L5-S1 disk prolapse indenting the thecal sac compressing the root. A full-course and effective medical treatment was initiated as the patient was never treated properly before for her back pain, along with physical therapy and regular OPD follow-ups. A follow-up MRI a year later revealed significant reduction in the size of the disk prolapse as compared to the initial imaging study. Overall, patient’s symptoms significantly improved, and she was kept on conservative management. Conclusion: To conclude, the case presented here shows the efficacy and validity of conservative management for patients who are diagnosed with a herniated disc in the absence of neurological deficits. This shows the importance of not pushing surgical treatment for patient with lumbar disc herniation without neurological deficits, each patient should receive a trial of conservative therapy and close OPD follow-ups and repeated MRI scans for further assessment of any advancement or improvement, because herniated discs can regress spontaneously. Radiological changes alone should not be the main target for assessing improvement, what matters more is clinical and symptomatic improvement. Surgical management remains an important therapeutic option for patients who failed conservative management and patients who have severe neurological deficits.

Prognostic Factors for Successful Percutaneous Disc Decompression Using the Navigable Device L’DISQ in Patients with Lumbar Discogenic Pain

The navigable percutaneous disc decompression (PDD) device L’DISQ is an effective and safe option for the treatment of lumbar discogenic pain. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the prognostic factors associated with the successful outcome of PDD using the L’DISQ for treating lumbar discogenic pain by following up patients before and 1, 2, 3, and 6 months after the procedure. A successful outcome was defined as a ≥ 50% reduction in the numeric rating scale scores for pain and a ≥ 40% reduction in the Oswestry disability index scores at 6 months after the procedure. Clinical parameters and patient demographics, including pain duration, history of surgery, number of treatment levels, and radiographic findings of lumbar magnetic resonance imaging, were also examined. Of the 106 patients included, 80 (75.5%) had successful outcomes at 6 months. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of high-intensity zones (HIZs) (P = 0.016) was an independent positive predictor of successful PDD outcomes; conversely, migration of the herniated disc (P = 0.017) and bilaterally herniated discs (P = 0.001) were negative predictors. Therefore, the presence of HIZs, absence of migration of herniated discs, and presence of unilaterally herniated discs are positive predictors of successful outcomes.

An Osteopathic Approach to Patients with Degenerative and Herniated Discs

This paper reviews the basic science of disc disease (DD), which suggests; osteopathic manipulative medicine addresses the causes and symptoms of DD, can reverse its pathologic cascade, prevent its side effects and future episodes. The paper will use the modern scientific understanding of disc disease to show the body is a self-regulating, self-healing unified whole, structure and function are interrelated at all levels, and intervertebral disc cells contain the biochemical and physiologic capacity for self-healing. This evidence suggests osteopathic intervention initiates and magnifies this healing process. The paper will also discuss the authors’ experience with a treatment protocol for DD, based on osteopathic principles.

Spontaneous regression and near disappearance of a calcified herniated thoracic disc in a 44-year-old male: illustrative case

BACKGROUND Herniation of an intervertebral disc (IVD) is found predominantly in the lumbar and cervical spine of both children and adults, but herniated IVDs of the thoracic spine are a rare occurrence. However, approximately 40% of herniated thoracic disc cases are calcified. Approximately 0.65% of all spinal herniations are calcified herniated thoracic discs (CHTDs). CHTDs can be treated conservatively or invasively, depending on the symptoms and degree of neurological deficit present. OBSERVATIONS The authors report a 44-year-old male with near complete reabsorption and disappearance of a CHTD. A review of the available literature indicates that there are only seven adult patients in whom this phenomenon has been reported. LESSONS Determining the best form of invasive treatment is a challenge for surgeons given the complexity of this condition. While the disappearance of calcified herniated discs of the lumbar and cervical spine has been reported, reports of the regression of CHTDs are rare. The disappearance of CHTDs is more commonly reported in children who undergo conservative treatment, while surgery is reserved for children who experience progressive pain and neurological deficit. Given the success of conservative treatment of CHTDs in children, conservative treatment methods should be considered when treating mildly symptomatic adults.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Interlaminar Discectomy for L5-S1 Axillary-Type Disc Herniation, with Surgeon Stand on an Opposite Side of Disc Protrusion to Perform

Background: It is widely acceptable that surgeon stand on the same side of the disc protrusion to perform PEID. Few study focus on PEID being performed when surgeon stand on the opposite side of the disc protrusion. The aim is to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of an different approach that surgeon stood on the opposite side of the disc protrusion to perform PEID. Methods: A total of 40 patients with radiculopathy due to L5-S1 disc herniation underwent PEID were included in this study. All surgeries were performed by a senior surgeon who stood on the opposite side of the disc protrusion. The pre- and postoperative VAS, JOA, ODI and modified MacNab scores, as well as postoperative complications were collected.Results: All patients were followed up and the average follow-up period was 12.7 months. The VAS, JOA and ODI score were significantly improved after surgery. The excellent and good rate was 90% of the patients according to MacNab criteria. Recurrence without reoperation was observed at 6 months in 2 patient. No patient had major complications at the last follow-up except three cases who complained of transient lower limbs numbness. Conclusion: In this study, we found axillary herniated discs could be removed easily when surgeon stood on the opposite side of the disc protrusion. A working cannula was introduced into the epidural space at an less steeper angle to the skin, which can effectively reduce the risk of dura sac injury.

690 Intracranial Hypotension Due to CSF Leak Secondary to Ventral Thoracic Osteophyte Complex: Resolution After Transdural Thoracic Discectomy and Dural Repair

The hallmark symptom of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is orthostatic headaches which manifests secondary to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hypovolaemia. Well-recognised aetiologies include trauma which includes procedures such as lumbar punctures and spinal surgery. More recently, structural defects such as bony osteophytes and calcified or herniated discs have been attributed to mechanically compromising dural integrity consequently resulting in CSF leak and symptom manifestation. A thorough literature review noted only a handful of such cases. We report the case of a thirty-two-year-old Asian female who presented with a one-month history of new-onset progressively worsening orthostatic headaches. Workup included MRI of the thoracic spine which revealed an epidural collection of CSF consequently prompting a dynamic CT-myelogram of the spine which not only helped to confirm severe cerebral hypotension but also suggested the underlying cause as being a dorsally projecting osteophyte-complex at level T2-3. Conservative and medical management including bed rest, analgesia, mechanical compression, and epidural blood patches failed to alleviate symptoms and a permanent surgical cure was eventually sought. The surgery involved T2-T3 laminectomy and osteophytectomy and at a 3-month follow-up, complete resolution of symptoms was noted.

Chronic Orchialgia Stemming From Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Case Report and Brief Review

Chronic orchialgia can be the result of pathological processes of the scrotal contents or stem from non-intrascrotal structures. Successful pain management depends on identifying the source of localized or referred pain. This is a case report of a 39-year-old male sports coach who presented with low back pain, right orchialgia, and sciatica refractory to conservative management. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed disc protrusion at L3/L4 and L4/L5 levels. Positive outcomes in relieving back and testicular pain were obtained after a total of 30 chiropractic sessions over a 9-week period. The evidence of the subjective improvement was corroborated by regression of the herniated discs documented on the repeat MR imaging. While chronic orchialgia is not an uncommon problem for men of all ages, it has seldom been described in association with lumbar discogenic disease. The current study provided preliminary support for a link between orchialgia and lumbar disc herniation. Chiropractic manipulation had provided a mechanistic alleviation of noxious lumbar stimuli, leading to symptomatic and functional improvements.

Intervertebral Disc Mechanics With Nucleotomy: Differences Between Simple and Dual Loading

Painful herniated discs are treated surgically by removing extruded nucleus pulposus (NP) material (nucleotomy). NP removal through enzymatic digestion is also commonly performed to initiate degenerative changes to study potential biological repair strategies. Experimental and computational studies have shown a decrease in disc stiffness with nucleotomy under single loading modalities, such as compression-only or bending-only loading. However, studies that apply more physiologically relevant loading conditions, such as compression in combination with bending or torsion, have shown contradicting results. We used a previously validated bone–disc–bone finite element model (Control) to create a Nucleotomy model to evaluate the effect of dual loading conditions (compression with torsion or bending) on intradiscal deformations. While disc joint stiffness decreased with nucleotomy under single loading conditions, as commonly reported in the literature, dual loading resulted in an increase in bending stiffness. More specifically, dual loading resulted in a 40% increase in bending stiffness under flexion and extension and a 25% increase in stiffness under lateral bending. The increase in bending stiffness was due to an increase and shift in compressive stress, where peak stresses migrated from the NP–annulus interface to the outer annulus. In contrast, the decrease in torsional stiffness was due to greater fiber reorientation during compression. In general, large radial strains were observed with nucleotomy, suggesting an increased risk for delamination or degenerative remodeling. In conclusion, the effect of nucleotomy on disc mechanics depends on the type and complexity of applied loads.