J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg 2019; 80(06): 503-506
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1685197
Case Report
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Suspected Pulmonary Embolism after Oxygen-Ozone Therapy for Low Back Pain

Domenico Chirchiglia
1   Department of Neurosurgery, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
,
Pasquale Chirchiglia
1   Department of Neurosurgery, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
,
Carmelino Stroscio
1   Department of Neurosurgery, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
,
Giorgio Volpentesta
1   Department of Neurosurgery, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
,
Angelo Lavano
1   Department of Neurosurgery, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

13 July 2018

17 October 2018

Publication Date:
20 August 2019 (online)

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Abstract

Oxygen-ozone therapy is used to treat degenerative pathology of the spine when surgery is not needed (e.g., removal of a herniated disk). Some authors have described it as a safe and effective procedure in ∼ 70 to 90% of patients. The aim of the therapy is to dehydrate the intervertebral disk and alter its contents. However, this treatment has been associated with some rare but very serious side effects. Both cardiac damage and a case of fulminant septicemia were reported. We describe a case of suspected pulmonary embolism, followed by sudden death, in an elderly woman treated with oxygen-ozone therapy for lumbar pain caused by disk protrusion. We believe a massive pulmonary embolism occurred, probably caused by an intradiskal injection that accidentally punctured a venous vessel and created emboli.