Efficiency of discography followed by chemonucleolysis in the treatment of sciatica

J Belge Radiol. 1996 Apr;79(2):68-71.

Abstract

One hundred and twenty-eight patients underwent discography in our department over a period of 3 years. Eighty-four of them were treated by chemonucleolysis. All the patients were punctured by a postero-lateral approach of the intervertebral disc under fluoroscopy. Although several contraindications to chemonucleolysis are known, in our study, only one case of spondylodiscitis was noted. Overall success rate was 72.6%. Twenty-three patients (27.4%) experienced similar or increased pain after treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Chymopapain / therapeutic use*
  • Contrast Media
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intervertebral Disc / diagnostic imaging*
  • Intervertebral Disc Chemolysis*
  • Iohexol
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiography
  • Sciatica / diagnostic imaging*
  • Sciatica / therapy

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Iohexol
  • Chymopapain