Warning: The NCBI web site requires JavaScript to function. more...
Generate a file for use with external citation management software.
King's College Hospital, London.
This prospective study was set up to record the changes in the intervertebral disc accompanying resolution of sciatica following conservative treatment. Patients presenting with sciatica (n = 165) were examined by computed tomography (CT) of the lumbar spine. Disc lesions were classified into the following groups: herniation, sequestration, generalized bulge and focal bulge. Follow-up CT of the pathological disc was performed in 106 of the 165 patients after 1 year and identical anatomical sections were compared. All patients were initially treated conservatively by the injection of steroid and local anaesthetic at the intervertebral disc/nerve root interface. Of 84 cases of disc herniation and sequestration 64 (76%) showed either complete or partial resolution on follow-up CT examination. Of 22 cases with either a generalized or focal bulge of the disc 18 (82%) were unchanged on follow up. The classical disc herniation in a young patient is the type of disc lesion most likely to show greatest improvement at follow-up CT.
Your browsing activity is empty.
Activity recording is turned off.
Turn recording back on