Two anaphylactic deaths after chemonucleolysis
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Measuring Local Anaphylaxis in Mice
Published on: October 14, 2014
Abstract:
Chemonucleolysis is a procedure for treatment of low back pain due to discogenic disease in which the drug chymopapain is injected into lumbar disks to produce chemical dissolution of the nucleus pulposus. More than 15,000 cases have been treated by chemonucleolysis world-wide. Anaphylaxis after the injection of chymopapain occurs in about 1% of such cases. The two cases described in this paper are the only known deaths due to anaphylaxis. Both patients suddenly became hypotensive after injection of chymopapain into a disk. One patient died shortly after this, whereas the second patient died of the complications of prolonged shock.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Adverse Effects
Unlike...
Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses
Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...

