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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 1997; 1(2): 197-206
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1080139
Treatment of Intervertebral Disc Herniations

© 1997 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Lumbar Chymopapain Chemonucleolysis

Valerie Chicheportiche, Caroline Parlier-Cuau, Pierre Champsaur, Jean-Denis Laredo
  • Department of Bone and Joint Radiology, Lariboisière Hospital, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
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Publication Date:
18 June 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Lumbar chemonucleolysis is an alternative treatment of the sciatic pain due to a disc herniation. It gives good results in 70 to 80% of selected patients. When a correct technique is used, the complication rate is lesser than that of the open surgery. The indications of lumbar chemonucleolysis are larger than in the past and include lateral disc herniations, large or migrated disc herniations, and patients under 18 years or over 60 years. Further studies are necessary to determine if magnetic resonance imaging helps in patients selection and improve the success rate of chemonucleolysis.

KEYWORDS

Spine, intervertebral disc - Spine, therapeutic radiology - Spine, interventional procedures