Intervertebral discolysis with collagenase.
Animal experimental studies are reported in which the enzyme collagenase was used to digest the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc in both dogs and monkeys. Studies in the same animals indicated a low risk toxicity. Clinical studies were started in 1979, in which the results in 82 patients are reported. All patients were subjected to rigid standards of selection. Of 78 patients followed, 80.4% had good results, 4.9% fair results, and 14.7% had poor results. There were no instances of toxicity. A double-blind study of 30 patients indicates clearcut superiority of collagenase over placebo in relieving the symptoms of herniated disc.
D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D000882:Haplorhini; D006801:Humans; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D003012:Microbial Collagenase / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D011859:Radiography
D003012:Microbial Collagenase