title: Chemonucleolysis: a double blind study comparing chemonucleolysis with intra discal hydrocortisone: in the treatment of backache and sciatica.
abstract: This paper attempts to answer the controversial question, namely, how effective is chemonucleolysis in the treatment of discogenic back pain and sciatica? By using a type of double-blind study, a comparison has been made between 20 patients who were treated with chemonucleolysis and 20 who were treated with intra-discal hydrocortisone. The 2 year post-injection survey by an independent observer, demonstrated that chemonucleolysis produced 9 good, 3 fair, and 8 unimproved results in 20 patients. In contrast, hydrocortisone produced 3 good, 8 fair, and 8 unimproved results in 20 patients - one patient dying from unrelated causes. Although not statistically significant, the data suggest that chemonucleolysis was superior to intra-discal hydrocortisone in this series.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D001416:Back Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002917:Chymopapain / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007267:Injections / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012585:Sciatica / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D010450:Endopeptidases; D002917:Chymopapain; D006854:Hydrocortisone