 Treatment
Nonvisualized Nuclear Procedures.
Although these procedures utilize different physical methods, the basic principle is the same. They seek to reduce the volume of the disk by removal of 10 to 15% of the nuclear material and thus reduce intradiskal pressure. Advocates believe that this will help to reduce back pain and nerve root compression.
The four most commonly used nonvisualized intranuclear procedures are chemonucleolysis, percutaneous automated nucleotomy, percutaneous laser disk decompression (PLLD), and intradiskal electrothermal therapy (IDET).
Chemonucleolysis
In 1963, Smith administered the enzyme chymopapain to the first patient. By 1984, 75,000 patients had been treated with this method. Unfortunately in 1999, this procedure was widely discontinued in the United States after several cases of transverse myelitis and anaphylactic deaths were reported.
Percutaneous Automated Nucleotomy
In 1975 Hijikata introduced the percutaneous manual nucleotomy, which was expanded by Onik, a radiologist, who developed and automated device (Nucleotome, Clarus Medical, Minneapolis, MN). This consists of a 2.5-mm probe that is positioned into the nuclear chamber via a standard posterolateral approach. The probe contains a cutter and a suction mechanism. The nuclear material is cut and suctioned to an outside reservoir. The reported success rates of this procedure by itself vary from 29% (Chatterjee, 1995) to 75% (Onik et al, 1990). It is a relatively simple and safe technique and major complications are very rare.
Percutaneous Laser Disk Decompression (PLDD)
Since its introduction by Ascher and Choy in 1986, the utilization of laser energy to reduce the nucleus pulposus volume has gained increasing popularity due to its small size, technical simplicity, and low incidence of complications. The effectiveness of PLDD varies from 75 to 90% (as reported by Choy) to 60 to 85% (satisfactory as reported by Maroon); but Knight demonstrated clinical benefit in only 52% with an additional 21% rate of functional improvement. Unfortunately, these studies are more anecdotal, and no high-quality controlled trials have been performed. The incidence of complications is around 1% and includes infectious diskitis, cauda equinasyndrome, bowel perforation, and nerve root damage.
Intradiskal Electothermal Therapy (IDET)
The intradiskal electrothermal treatment (IDET, Oratec Interventions INC., Menlo Park, CA) was introduced by physiatrists Jeffrey and Joel Saal. The mechanism of action of this procedure is a subject of controversy and is not well described in the literature. Complications are rare. Thomas et al (2004) reported a case in which the tip of the catheter broke off into the spinal canal and migrated to inside the dural sac, which was later removed by a wide laminectomy. Long-term data collection found that the results were less promising than previously expected. Pauza et al (2003) reported that even though 40% of their patients achieved greater than 50% relief of their pain, about 50% of the patients experience no appreciable benefit.
Visualized Intra-/Extranuclear Procedures
Small Guided Endoscopic Diskectomy
Advocates believe that this procedure can be used to treat all causes of diskogenic pain, including contained HNP, uncontained HNP, or internal derangement. Diskectomy is performed through a small working channel endoscope, passed through a tapered cannula. Direct visualization is possible, but the access is small and minimally traumatic. Decompression of the disk and the delivery of uncontained free fragments from the spinal canal are possible, without cutting the muscle, removing bone or yellow ligament, or retracting the dural sac and nerve roots (Fig 63-1). Other forms of energy such as manual or automated nucleotomy, laser, and IDET may be delivered through the working channel of the arthroscope.
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