ABSTRACT
Chemonucleolysis with chymopapain has been shown to be an effective alternative to surgery for the treatment of Sciatica secondary to lumbar disc herniation after failure of conservative treatment. 92 lumbar herniated disc patients had been treated by chemonucleolysis in Eul Ji General Hospital during 3 years from March 1988 to 1991 and were evaluated clinically. 1) Of 92 patients, 60 patients(65%) were between 20 and 30 years old age group and male was predominent. 2) The lesion was the most common in L4-5space(52 patients, 56.6%). 3) The results were better in the younger group and the more limited straight leg raising group. 4) The excellent and good results were obtained in 82.6%. 5) In noncompensation cases, 69 patients(88.0%) had marked improvement, but in compensation cases, 7 patients(50%) had marked improvement. 6) In conclusion, above finding suggest that chemonucleolysis is a safe and effective nonsurgical method for treatment of herniated lumbar disc before surgical intervention.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Chymopapain , Compensation and Redress , Hospitals, General , Intervertebral Disc Chemolysis , Intervertebral Disc Displacement , Leg , Sciatica , SpineABSTRACT
A case of neurofibroma in cauda equina which had been misdiagnosed as lumbar herniated nucleus puposus 6 years ago in other hospital was presented. In January 1984, the patient had taken the operation of total laminectomy and disckectomy at L2~3 level and symtoms were relieved thereafter. However severe low back pain and right sciatic radiation recurred in April 1990. In this hospital, lumbar myelography and spin C-T examination revealed the intradural extramedullary mass shadow at L2~3 level. On surgery, the dumbbell-shaped neurofibroma at the site was removed.