Turkish Neurosurgery 2005 , Vol 15 , Num 1
Spontaneous Regression of Lumbar Disc Herniations at Different Levels and Times in a Patient: A Case Report
Doğa GÜRKANLAR1, Ahmet ACIDUMAN2, Halit KOÇAK2, Ahmet GÜNAYDIN2
1Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey
2Neurosurgery Clinic, Social Security Institution Specialty Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
Lumbar intervertebral disc herniations can regress spontaneously at different levels and times in a patient even in the presence of a neurological deficit. A patient with spontaneous regressions of two herniated lumbar discs at different levels and time periods, which regressed after conservative treatment, is presented. Both spontaneous regressions of the two independent herniated lumbar discs in the patient correlated with clinical improvement. Magnetic resonance imaging studies of the lumbosacral spine revealed spontaneous regressions of L5-S1 and L4-L5 intervertebral disc herniations at different times in the patient. Because lumbar disc herniations can regress spontaneously, conservative treatment of these pathologies should be taken into consideration for at least two or three months before offering surgery, even in the presence of a mild neurological deficit. Keywords : Spontaneous regression, conservative treatment, disc herniation
Corresponding author : Doğa Gürkanlar, dgurkanlar2000@yahoo.co.uk