title: Lumbar intervertebral discolysis with collagenase.
abstract: This study reports a series of 52 patients with herniated discs, selected as refractory to conservative therapy, who were treated under an experimental protocol with the enzyme collagenase (Nucleolysin) instilled into the disc percutaneously. A 78% success rate was achieved in those patients receiving a dose of 600 units. There were no systemic or local toxic effects. The patients were followed for up to two years with only one recurrence. Failures appeared to be associated with disc extrusion.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D003012:Microbial Collagenase / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D003012:Microbial Collagenase