title: Percutaneous nucleotomy: preliminary communication on a decompression probe (Dekompressor) in percutaneous discectomy. Ten case reports.
abstract: For the past years, new therapeutic options have been proposed secondary to the progress in the interventional imaging. The purpose of this article is to report a preliminary study on the use of the 1.5 mm "Dekompressor probe" (Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI, USA) in the percutaneous discectomy by decompression. We have conducted, from September 2003 to March 2004, a retrospective review on 10 patients (mean age of 49.8), chosen at random, presenting a nonextruded herniated disc resisting all medical treatments. The procedure is CT guided or performed under fluorosocopy, a discography is performed by introducing the probe at the level of the protruded disc. After local anesthesia, an incision of a few millimeters is performed, allowing the introduction of a coxial trocar to the level of the disc. The decompression probe is then introduced. No technical failure occurred. The results in our series show, in eight patients, a satisfactory result with a decrease of the initial VAS of more than 70% and a complete elimination of the medical therapy. Our preliminary results are encouraging but should also be confirmed by a multicentric based on a large series, and the criteria of inclusion or exclusion must be strictly respected to obtain satisfactory clinical results.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Imagerie Médicale, Centre Hospitalier Régional et Universitaire de Nice, Hôpital Archet, 151 route de Saint-Antoine de Ginestière, B.P. 3079, Nice Cedex 3 F-06202, France. amorettiniclolas@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Amoretti
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Huchot
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Flory
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brunner
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chevallier
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Bruneton
mesh_terms: D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017587:Diskectomy, Percutaneous / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012585:Sciatica / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed