Unexpected Recovery: A Report on the Spontaneous Regression of a Herniated Cervical Disc

Cureus. 2023 Jul 5;15(7):e41429. doi: 10.7759/cureus.41429. eCollection 2023 Jul.

Abstract

We describe a case in which a herniated cervical disc was compressing the spinal cord. Surgical treatment was offered based on the patient's symptoms and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but the patient declined. The patient's symptoms were relieved after 10 months of nonsurgical intervention, and a subsequent MRI revealed that the cervical disc herniation (CDH) had regressed. This phenomenon is well established in the lumbar region but remains rare in the cervical spine. We recommend opting for conservative management and frequent follow-ups for patients with CDH unless they present with a surgical urgency.

Keywords: cervical disc; cervical disc herniation; herniated disc; magnetic resonance imaging; spontaneous regression.

Publication types

  • Case Reports