title: Computed tomography and chymopapain chemonucleolysis: preliminary findings.
abstract: Ten lumbar disk levels in nine patients were examined by computed tomography (CT) before and 6 weeks after chymopapain chemonucleolysis of herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP). Patient selection for chemonucleolysis was partly based on CT scans demonstrating morphologic HNP criteria favoring a successful treatment outcome. Posttreatment CT scans disclosed a measurable HNP size decrease of 1-3 mm at nine of 10 levels studied as well as an increase in HNP attenuation at many levels. CT findings correlated closely with objective clinical parameters used to assess treatment outcomes.
mesh_terms: D002917:Chymopapain / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D002917:Chymopapain