Spontaneous regression of herniated lumbar discs: Report of one illustrative case and review of the literature

Prediction and Mechanisms of Spontaneous Resorption in Lumbar Disc Herniation: Narrative Review

The major symptoms of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) are low back pain, radiative lower extremity pain, and lower limb movement disorder. Patients with LDH suffer from great distress in their daily life accompanied by severe economic hardship and difficulty in self-care, with an increasing tendency in the aging population. PubMed and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for relevant studies of spontaneous resorption or regression in LDH after conservative treatment and for other potential studies, which included those from inception to June 30, 2023. The objective of this narrative review is to summarize previous literatures about spontaneous resorption in LDH and to discuss the mechanisms and influencing factors in order to assess the probability of spontaneous resorption by conservative treatment. Spontaneous resorption without surgical treatment is influenced by the types and sizes of the LDH, inflammatory responses, and therapeutic factors. If the lumbar disc herniated tissue comprises a higher percentage of cartilage or modic changes have been shown on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), resorption in LDH is prevented. The bull's eye sign on enhanced MRI, which is a ring enhancement around a protruding disc, is a vital indicator for easy reabsorption. In addition, the type of extrusion and sequestration in LDH could forecast the higher feasibility of natural reabsorption. Moreover, the higher the proportion of protrusion on the intervertebral disc tissue within the spinal canal, the greater the likelihood of reabsorption. Therefore, which illustrates the feasibility of conservative treatments for LDH. Nonsurgical management of LDH with clinical symptoms is recommended by the authors.

Regression of a large prolapsed lumbar disc herniation achieved by conservative treatment: A case report and literature review

A common spinal condition known as lumbar disc herniation (LDH) can result in radicular and low back discomfort. A 27-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a 6-year history of persistent low back pain, and his low back pain had recurred with radiation to his lower extremities over the last two months. An extensive right-sided paracentral disc herniation in the L5/S1 intervertebral region, which compressed the nerve root, was discovered by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of his lumbar spine. After receiving conservative treatment, the patient reported that his lower back discomfort and neurogenic claudication had gradually subsided after 4 months. After one year, a follow-up MRI showed that the massive, prolapsed disc herniation at the L5/S1 level had totally disappeared. The sagittal protrusion length of the L5/S1 intervertebral disc shrank from 12.35 mm to 3.49 mm. However, there remained a chance of vertebral height loss. During the course of treatment, the height of the L5/S1 intervertebral space was still slightly reduced. The intervertebral space height declined from 7.705 mm to 7.201 mm after one year of treatment. The current case and a review of the literature demonstrate that LDH can decrease with conservative therapy over a short period of time. We stress the effectiveness of conservative treatment in very select LDH cases that lack a clear surgical justification.

Single-cell transcriptomics reveals heterogeneity and intercellular crosstalk in human intervertebral disc degeneration

The complexity of the human intervertebral disc (IVD) has hindered the elucidation of the microenvironment and mechanisms underlying IVD degeneration (IVDD). Here we determined the landscapes of nucleus pulposus (NP), annulus fibrosus (AF), and immunocytes in human IVD by scRNA-seq. Six NP subclusters and seven AF subclusters were identified, whose functional differences and distribution during different stages of degeneration (Pfirrmann I-V) were investigated. We found MCAM⁺ progenitor in AF, as well as CD24⁺ progenitor and MKI67⁺ progenitor in NP, forming a lineage trajectory from CD24⁺/MKI67⁺ progenitors to EffectorNP_⅓ during IVDD. There is a significant increase in monocyte/macrophage (Mφ) in degenerated IVDs (p = 0.044), with Mφ-SPP1 exclusively found in IVDD but not healthy IVDs. Further analyses of the intercellular crosstalk network revealed interactions between major subpopulations and changes in the microenvironment during IVDD. Our results elucidated the unique characteristics of IVDD, thereby shedding light on therapeutic strategies.

Adolescent Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Herniation: Conservative versus Surgical Treatment

BACKGROUND: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) in adolescents is relatively a rare condition among those cases presented with low back pain. Trauma and genetics are the most common predisposing factors. Furthermore, the clinical presentations differ from those of the adults. Back pain is not all marked in adolescent patients. AIM: This study was subjected to discuss the etiology, diagnosis and treatment modalities, and the variable outcomes for both medical and surgical treatment of LDH in adolescents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective study was conducted on 20 patients (12 males, eight females) age range 10–19 years presenting with LDH, managed and treated conservatively and/or surgically in Neurosurgery Department at Kasr Al Ainy School of medicine, Cairo University in the period from October 2015 to September 2016 with 12-month follow-up period. RESULTS: In our study, 12 patients (60%) gave a positive family history, also nine cases (45%) had a history of back trauma before affection with LDH. All the cases (100%) were presented with sciatic pain while only half of them had low back pain, also two cases with motor deficit. After performing magnetic resonance imaging of lumbosacral spine, L5-S1 disc level was the most common level affected. All the patients were subjected to medical treatment which was effective in 40% of the cases and surgical treatment was the only curative method in 12 cases (60%). In this study, the outcome was excellent in 90% of cases where significant to complete relief of pain and significant improvement in the neurological deficits was achieved. CONCLUSION: Conservative treatment is less effective for adolescent LDH patients as compared with adults, even though it remains the fi rst-line treatment for adolescent LDH.

Emerging Issues Questioning the Current Treatment Strategies for Lumbar Disc Herniation

Lumbar disc herniation is among the common phenotypes of degenerative lumbar spine diseases, significantly affecting patients' quality of life. The practice pattern is diverse. Choosing conservative measures or surgical treatments is still controversial in some areas. For those who have failed conservative treatment, surgery with or without instrumentation is recommended, causing significant expenditures and frustrating complications, that should not be ignored. In the article, we performed a literature review and summarized the evidence by subheadings to unravel the cons of surgical intervention for lumbar disc herniation. There are tetrad critical issues about surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation, i.e., favorable natural history, insufficient evidence in a recommendation of fusion surgery for patients, metallosis, and implant removal. Firstly, accumulating evidence reveals immune privilege and auto-immunity hallmarks of human lumbar discs within the closed niche. Progenitor cells within human discs further expand the capacity with the endogenous repair. Clinical watchful follow-up studies with repeated diagnostic imaging reveal spontaneous resolution for lumbar disc herniation, even calcified tissues. Secondly, emerging evidence indicates long-term complications of lumbar fusion, such as adjacent segment disease, pseudarthrosis, implant failure, and sagittal spinal imbalance, which get increasing attention. Thirdly, systemic and local reactions (metallosis) for metal instrumentation have been noted with long-term health concerns and toxicity. Fourthly, the indications and timing for spinal implant removal have not reached a consensus. Other challenging issues include postoperative lumbar stiffness. The review provided evidence from a negative perspective for surgeons and patients who attempt to choose surgical treatment. Collectively, the emerging underlying evidence questions the benefits of traditional surgery for patients with lumbar disc herniation. Therefore, the long-term effects of surgery should be closely observed. Surgical decisions should be made prudently for each patient.

Treatment Effect of CT-Guided Periradicular Injections in Context of Different Contrast Agent Distribution Patterns

Acutely manifesting radicular pain syndromes associated with degenerations of the lower spine are frequent ailments with a high rate of recurrence. Part of the conservative management are periradicular infiltrations of analgesics and steroids. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the dependence of the clinical efficacy of CT-guided periradicular injections on the pattern of contrast distribution and to identify the best distribution pattern that is associated with the most effective pain relief. Using a prospective study design, 161 patients were included in this study, ensuring ethical standards. Statistical analysis was performed, with the level of statistical significance set at p = 0.05. A total of 37.9% of patients experienced significant but not long-lasting (four weeks on average) complete pain relief. A total of 44.1% of patients experienced prolonged, subjectively satisfying pain relief of more than four weeks to three months. A total of 18% of patients had complete and sustained relief for more than six months. A significant correlation exists between circumferential, large area contrast distribution including the zone of action between the disc and affected nerve root contrast distribution pattern with excellent pain relief. Our results support the value of CT-guided contrast injection for achieving a good efficacy, and, if necessary, indicative repositioning of the needle to ensure a circumferential distribution pattern of corticosteroids for the sufficient treatment of radicular pain in degenerative spine disease.

Spontaneous regression of a large sequestered lumbar disc herniation: a case report and literature review

Lumbar disc herniation is a common disorder in adults that is accompanied by lower back and radicular pain. A 32-year-old man visited our clinic with 1-week history of persistent lower back pain and weakness in his right big toe. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of his lumbar spine revealed herniated discs at L3/L4, L5/S1 and L4/L5, where a right-sided intraspinal mass lesion deep to the L4 vertebral body was causing compression of the nerve root. The patient underwent conservative treatment and reported no symptoms referrable to his back or leg 4 months later. Follow-up MRI showed no herniation of the nucleus pulposus at the L4/L5 level or lesion deep to the vertebral body of L4, whereas no changes had occurred to the status of the herniated L3/L4 and L5/S1 discs. The present case and a literature review show that a sequestered lumbar disc herniation can regress within a relatively short timeframe without surgery. The authors emphasise the utility of conservative therapy for patients who do not have a definitive surgical indication.

Regression of lumbar disc herniation with non-surgical treatment: a case report

To date, only a few reports have described the regression of lumbar disc herniation, which may be because of a failure to follow up patients treated conservatively. We report a case of a 25-year-old man who presented with a 2-month history of pain and soreness owing to lumbar disc herniation. He was managed conservatively, and his presenting symptoms and scoliosis gradually decreased over approximately 5 months. Two years later, he returned unexpectedly and was advised to undergo magnetic resonance imaging, which revealed regression of the disc herniation; the patient also confirmed that the pain had not recurred. After 8 months, he underwent repeat magnetic resonance imaging, and the findings pertaining to disc herniation were normal. Our findings suggest that previous cases should be retrospectively studied to establish a prediction model for the outcomes of conservative treatment in patients with lumbar disc herniation. We also emphasize the significance of selecting suitable patients for conservative treatment to obtain the best therapeutic outcomes. The CARE guidelines have been followed in the reporting of this case.

Can Imaging Characteristics on Magnetic Resonance Imaging Predict the Acuity of a Lumbar Disc Herniation?

BACKGROUND

Currently, no authors of existing studies have attempted to classify the signal characteristics of disc herniation on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and their temporal relationship to symptoms of lumbar radiculopathy. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the MRI signal characteristics are predictive of acuity of symptoms in patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH).

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients treated at an academic center for LDH from 2015 to 2018. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on symptom duration (acute: ≤6 weeks; or chronic: >4 months). Two independent observers measured T1, T2 signal, and other MRI characteristics at the affected disc level. Univariate analysis was used to compare differences between groups. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine predictors of acuity.

RESULTS

Eighty-nine patients were included (33 acute, 56 chronic) with no significant baseline differences between groups. Rater 2 observed a higher proportion of disc bulges in the chronic group (P = .021) and a higher abnormal T1 herniation signal in the acute group (P = .048). Rater 1 found a higher Pfirrmann grade (P = .005) and a higher prevalence of vertebral body spurring (P = .007) in the chronic group. Interobserver agreement for T1 central and herniation signals demonstrated poor to fair agreement, whereas the remainder of the measurements showed moderate to substantial agreement (κ = 0.4-0.8). Multiple logistic regression showed that Pfirrmann Grade 5 (odds ratio = 0.12, 95% confidence interval [0.02, 0.74], P = .022) and anterior/posterior spurring (odds ratio = 0.053 [0.03, 0.85], P = .023) were not associated with acuity.

CONCLUSIONS

Other than Pfirrmann grade or vertebral body spurring, no MRI characteristics could be reliably identified that correlate with acuity of symptoms.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Electroacupuncture Might Promote the Spontaneous Resorption of Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Case Report

BACKGROUND

Although acupuncture is effective in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH), based on comprehensive literature review, reports of the resorption of large herniated discs in LDH patients treated merely by acupuncture are very rare.

CASE REPORT

A 49-year-old patient presented with distending pain in the left lower limb and numbness on the dorsum of the left foot. Physical examination revealed positive signs associated with mechanical compression by herniated lumbar discs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at symptom onset confirmed the diagnosis of LDH at L4-L5 and L5-S1. Electroacupuncture was administered on local acupoints combined with distal acupoints. His clinical symptoms gradually improved with time throughout acupuncture treatment, verified by increased Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores. The patient was discharged after a total of 20 acupuncture sessions within 1 month. Follow-up indicated that his symptoms had disappeared completely at 1.5 months after discharge and had not recurred since then. At the 10-month follow-up, MRI re-examination confirmed that the herniated discs had been resorbed significantly.

CONCLUSION

Electroacupuncture could significantly improve clinical symptoms and might promote the spontaneous resorption of herniated discs in LDH patients. Thus, for LDH patients suitable for conservative treatment, electroacupuncture could be a favourable option recommended to patients.

Comparison of microendoscopic discectomy and open discectomy for single-segment lumbar disc herniation

BACKGROUND

Lumbar disc herniation is a common disease. Endoscopic treatment may have more advantages than traditional surgery.

AIM

To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of microendoscopic discectomy (MED) and open discectomy with lamina nucleus enucleation in the treatment of single-segment lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.

METHODS

Ninety-six patients who were operated at our hospital were selected for this study. Patients with single-segment lumbar disc herniation were admitted to the hospital from March 2018 to March 2019 and were randomly divided into the observation group and the control group with 48 cases in each group. The former group underwent lumbar discectomy and the latter underwent laparotomy and nucleus pulpectomy. Surgical effects were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

In terms of surgical indicators, the observation group had a longer operation time, shorter postoperative bedtime and hospital stay, less intraoperative blood loss, and smaller incision length than the control group (P < 0.05). The excellent recovery rate did not differ significantly between the observation group (93.75%) and the control group (91.67%). Visual analogue scale pain scores were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group at 1 d, 3 d, 1 mo, and 6 mo after surgery (P < 0.05). The incidence of complications was significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (6.25% vs 22.92%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Both MED and open discectomy can effectively improve single-segment lumbar disc herniation, but MED is associated with less trauma, less bleeding, and a lower incidence of complications.

Structural Analysis of Experimentally Induced Disc Herniation-Like Changes in the Rat

Introduction

A disc herniation has traditionally been considered as disc tissue that has slipped out from an intervertebral disc. However, it was recently suggested that the disc herniation mass is a product of bioactive substances from the disc and that the disc hernia would more likely be scar tissue than herniated disc material. In this study, we aimed to analyze the structural components of experimentally induced disc herniations and compare with scar tissue and nucleus pulposus, in the rat.

Methods

Twenty-eight rats had their L4-5 discs punctured. After three weeks, the nodule that had been formed over the puncture site, scar tissue from the spine musculature, and normal nucleus pulposus were harvested and processed for further analysis.

Results

Proteomics analysis demonstrated that the formed nodule was more similar to scar tissue than to nucleus pulposus. Gene expression analysis showed that there was no resemblance between any tissues when looking at inflammatory genes but that, there was a clear resemblance between the nodule and scar tissue when analyzing extracellular matrix-related genes. Analysis of the GAG and polysaccharide size distribution revealed that only the nodule and scar tissue contained the shorter versions, potentially short chain hyaluronic acid that is known to induce inflammatory responses. The hematoxylin and eosin stained sections of the nodule, disc tissue, and scar tissue indicated that the morphology of the nodule and scar tissue was very similar.

Conclusions

The nodule formed after experimental disc puncture, and that resembles a disc hernia, has a more structural resemblance to scar tissue than disc tissue. The nodule is, therefore, more likely to be induced by disc-derived bioactive substances than being formed by herniated disc material.

Chronic nonspecific (musculoskeletal) low back pain. Guidelines of the Russian Society for the Study of Pain (RSSP)

Examination of a patient with chronic low back pain (LBP) is aimed at eliminating its specific cause and assessing the social and psychological factors of chronic pain. The diagnosis of chronic nonspecific (musculoskeletal) LBP is based on the exclusion of a specific cause of pain, discogenic radiculopathy, and lumbar stenosis. It is advisable to identify possible pain sources: pathology of intervertebral disc pathology, facet joints, and sacroiliac joint and myofascial syndrome.

An integrated multidisciplinary approach (a high level of evidence), including therapeutic exercises, physical activity optimization, psychological treatments (cognitive behavioral therapy), an educational program (back pain school for patients), and manual therapy, is effective in treating chronic musculoskeletal LBP. For pain relief, one may use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in minimally effective doses and in a short cycle, muscle relaxants, and a capsaicin patch, and, if there is depressive disorder, antidepressants (a medium level of evidence). Radiofrequency denervation or therapeutic blockages with anesthetics and glucocorticoids (damage to the facet joints, sacroiliac joint), back massage, and acupuncture (a low level of evidence) may be used in some patients.

Therapeutic exercises and an educational program (the prevention of excessive loads and prolonged static and uncomfortable postures and the use of correct methods for lifting weights, etc.) are recommended for preventive purposes. 

Lumbosacral Radiculopathy: Inciting Events and Their Association with Epidural Steroid Injection Outcomes

Objective

Low back pain is the leading cause of worldwide disability, with lumbosacral radiculopathy accounting for over one-third of these cases. There are limited data on the relationship between etiologies and lumbosacral radiculopathy, and it is unknown whether specific causes predict treatment outcomes.

Design, Setting, and Subjects

This study explores patient-reported etiologies for lumbosacral radiculopathy in a chronic pain clinic between January 2007 and December 2015 and examines whether these causes affected epidural steroid injection outcomes.

Methods

We reviewed the medical records of 1,242 patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy who received epidural steroid injections. The recording of an inciting event was done contemporaneously based on note templates. A positive outcome following an epidural steroid injection was defined as ≥30% pain relief sustained for six or more weeks without additional intervention. Factors associated with epidural steroid injection outcome were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Fifty point seven percent reported an inciting event, and 59.9% of patients experienced a positive epidural steroid injection outcome. The most commonly reported causes were falls (13.1%), motor vehicle collisions (10.7%), and lifting (7.8%). Individuals with a herniated disc (56.3%) were more likely to report a precipitating cause than those with stenosis (44.7%) or degenerative discs (47.8%, P = 0.012). An inciting event did not predict treatment outcome. Factors associated with negative treatment outcome included opioid consumption (odds ratio [OR] = 0.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.39–0.95, P = 0.027), secondary gain (OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.50–0.96, P = 0.030), and baseline pain score (OR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.84–0.97, P = 0.006). The number of levels injected was associated with a positive outcome (OR = 2.72, 95% CI = 1.28–6.47, P = 0.008).

Conclusions

Reported inciting events are common in patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy but are not associated with outcome following epidural steroid injection, and their occurrence is not always consistent with the purported mechanism of injury.

Spontaneous regression of cervical discs: Retrospective analysis of 14 cases

Cervical disc herniation is a condition which arises from compression of cervical spinal nerve root by the degenerated disc and vast majority of the patients are aged between 30 and 40 years. Spontaneous regression of cervical disc was first reported by Kriegerand Maniker in 1992. Our study is the second large series in literature. Besides, 4 patients are the first who were shown to have resorption in C 4-5.The records of patients diagnosed with cervical disc herniation who applied to the Spine Polyclinic between 2014 and 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. The files of the patients who were recommended surgery with the diagnosis of cervical disc herniation were examined. Patients who did not accept surgery on their own initiative, but who attended our outpatient clinic for a check-up were included in the study.Of a total of 14 patients, 28.57% (n = 4) were male and 71.43% (n = 10) were female. Mean age of the patients was 40.79 (range 25-60).The results of the study indicate that likelihood of spontaneous regression is higher in para-central or foraminal disc compared to central disc hernias. Although there are a limited number of case reports in the literature, conservative treatment seems to be a good option in patients without neurological deficits, with foraminal disc hernias and not requiring emergency surgery.

Spontaneous regression of herniated nucleus pulposus: The clinical findings of 76 patients

Lumbar disc hernia is common disease, affecting about 5% of the population. Many studies to date reported regression of disc herniation without surgical intervention.Medical records of the patients who applied to the spine clinic in an outpatient setting were retrospectively reviewed. Age, sex, radiological findings, neurological examinations, and medical treatments of the patients were evaluated.Male patients constituted 52.6% of the cases (n = 40) and 47.4% (n = 36) were female. The ages of the patients ranged from 25 to 82 years, with a mean of 48.5 ± 12.1 years. Visual analog scale (VAS) measurements ranged from 0 to 8 and the mean was determined as 2.65 ± 1.98. The VAS score of pain severity of 12 (15.78%) cases was 0, VAS score of 39 (51.31%) cases was 1 to 3, VAS score of 20 (26.31%) cases was 4 to 6, VAS score of 5 (6.57%) cases was 7 to 10. Eighteen (23.68%) of the cases underwent neuropathic pain treatment for more than 6 months. Fifteen (19.7%) patients also developed permanent motor deficits.Findings of our study show that there was no direct association between radiological improvement and clinical improvement. Indication for surgery still existed in a high number of patients, substantial of which developed permanent motor deficits. Current results suggest that we need to advise our patients in favor of early surgery as soon as indication for surgery is established upon neurological and radiological examination.

[Disc hernia regression as a natural course of discogenic lumbosacral radiculopathy]

Disc herniation with radiculopathy is a common cause of severe back pain leading to significant disability and a decrease in patients' quality of life. The authors report a case of 38-year-old female patient with radiculopathy of the first sacral root due to a large (11 mm) sequestered disc herniation between the fifth lumbar and the first sacral vertebrae. Conservative treatment with fluoroscopically-guided epidural steroid injection provided a significant clinical improvement, the patient was able to return to normal daily and professional activity in a short time. MRI in 9 months showed the regression of disc herniation. Possible predictors and timing of disc herniation regression are discussed, as well as the proposed mechanisms, the main one of which is considered to be immune-mediated lysis.