Ozone chemonucleolysis in non-contained lumbar disc herniations: a pilot study with 12 months follow-up.
METHODS
Prospective case series with six and twelve months follow up.


OBJECTIVE
To observe clinical and morphological results of the intradiscal ozone chemionucleolysis in patients affected by non-contained lumbar disc herniations.


METHODS
30 patients were included in the study on the base of precise inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients were followed on 6 and 12 months period by Visual Analogic Scale (VAS), Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) and Overall Patient Rating Scale (OPRS). Disc herniation volume morphology was evaluated at 5 months by control MRI scanning.


RESULTS
Twenty-seven patients (90%) showed a statistically significant improvement in pain (P < 0.001, Wilcoxon test) and function (P < 0.001, Wilcoxon test), on VAS and RMDQ evaluation, respectively. The mean satisfaction with the treatment on OPSR was 79.3%, with 24 patients referring satisfaction equal or greater than 80%. There were no major complications related to the procedure.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study indicate the ozone chemonucleolysis as a possibly effective modality of treatment in patients affected by signs and symptoms of non-contained lumbar disc herniations that have overpassed conservative measures and have not yet fulfilled the indications for open surgical treatment.
Buric
J
J
Unità Funzionale di Chirurgia Spinale c.d.c. Villanova, Florence, Italy. joburic@tin.it
Molino Lova
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001416:Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007404:Intervertebral Disc Chemolysis / Q000379:methods*; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010126:Ozone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010126:Ozone