Spontaneous Regression of Sequestrated Lumbar Disc Herniation –⁠ Three Case Reports

Czech version

Authors: Andrea Burgetová ¹; Z. Seidl ^1,2; M. Mašek ¹; P. Dušek ³; P. Hostaša ¹; J. Němcová ²; M. Vaněčková ¹
Authors‘ workplace: Radiodiagnostická klinika 1. LF UK a VFN v Praze ¹; Vyšší zdravotnická škola, Praha ²; Neurologická klinika 1. LF UK a VFN v Praze ³
Published in: Cesk Slov Neurol N 2010; 73/106(6): 721-724
Category: Case Report

Overview

An improvement of clinical symptoms of radicular syndrome caused by a free disc fragment accompanying disc herniation in the course of conservative therapy is not unusual in some patients. The pathophysiological processes that underlie this improvement are not fully understood. We present three patients who experienced a partial or complete resorption of disc herniation-free disc fragment in the lumbar region, which was accompanied by an amelioration of clinical symptoms and documented by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The aim is to support the position that MRI has not only diagnostic value but also, as is addressed in the discussion, the potential to provide prognostic information for any spontaneous regression of hernia and make easier the decision of whether to proceed with conservative or surgical therapy.

Key words:
disc herniation –⁠ sequestrated disc regression –⁠ magnetic resonance imaging –⁠ conservative treatment

Sources

1. Bozzao A, Gallucci M, Masciocchi C, Aprile I, Barile A, Passariello R. Lumbar disk herniation: MR imaging assessment of natural history in patient treated without surgery. Radiology 1992; 185(1): 135–141.

2. Schoenfeld AJ, Weiner BK. Treatment of lumbar disc herniation: Evidence-based practice. Int J Gen Med 2010; 3 : 209–214.

3. Saal JS, Saal JA, Yurth EF. Nonoperative treatment of herniated lumbar intervertebral disc with radiculopathy. An outcome study. Spine 1989; 14(4): 431–437.

4. Weinstein JN, Lurie JD, Tosteson TD, Tosteson AN, Blood EA, Abdu WA et al. Surgical versus nonoperative treatment for lumbar disc herniation: Four-year results for the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT). Spine 2008; 33(25): 2789–2800.

5. Guinto FC jr, Hashim H, Stumer M. CT demonstration of disk regression after conservative therapy. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 1984; 5(5): 632–633.

6. Komori H, Shinomiya K, Nakai O, Yamaura I, Takeda S, Furuya K. The natural history of herniated nucleus pulposus with radiculopathy. Spine 1996; 21(2): 225–229.

7. Mraček J. Intradurální výhřez bederní meziobratlové ploténky manifestující se syndromem kaudy –⁠ kazuistika. Cesk Slov Neurol N 2008; 71/104(5): 594–598.

8. Komori H, Okawa A, Haro H Muneta T, Mamamoto H, Shinomiya K. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in conservative management of lumbar disc herniation. Spine 1998; 23(1): 67–73.

9. Splendiani A. Puglielli E, De Amicis R, Barile A, Masciocchi C, Gallucci M. Spontaneous resolution of lumbar disk herniation: predictive signs for prognostic evaluation. Neuroradiology 2004; 46(11): 916–922.

10. Doita M, Kanatani T, Ozaki T, Matsui N, Kurosaka M, Yoshiya S. Influence of macrophage infiltration of herniated disc tissue on the production of matrix metalloproteinases leading to disc resorption. Spine 2001; 26(14): 1522–1527.

11. Ikeda T, Nakamura T, Kikuchi T, Umeda S, Senda H, Tagaki K. Pathomechanism of spontaneous regression of the herniated lumbar disc: histologic and immunohistochemical study. J Spinal Disord 1996; 9(2):136–140.