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Spontaneous regression of herniated cervical disc
Nobusuke Kobayashi1, Shunji Asamoto, Hiroshi Doi
1Department of Neurosurgery, Showa University School of Medicine and Tokyo Metropolitan Ebara Hospital, Tokyo 142-8666, Japan.
Summary
Spontaneous regression of herniated cervical discs is rare but possible. This case study shows complete regression of a C5-C6 extruded disc after 12 months, suggesting conservative observation as a treatment option.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Spontaneous regression of lumbar disc herniation is common.
- Spontaneous regression of cervical disc herniation is uncommon, with few documented cases.
- Extruded disc herniations are the primary type observed to regress spontaneously.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare instance of spontaneous regression in a patient with a herniated cervical disc.
- To highlight the potential for non-surgical management in such cases.
Main Methods:
- A case study of a 27-year-old male patient.
- Clinical presentation included severe left C6 level pain.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed a lateral extruded disc at the C5-C6 level; patient declined surgery.
Main Results:
- Complete pain resolution occurred within 3 weeks.
- Follow-up MRI at 3 weeks showed partial spontaneous regression of the extruded disc.
- Complete spontaneous regression of the cervical disc herniation was confirmed by MRI at 12 months.
Conclusions:
- The spontaneous regression of extruded cervical disc herniations is a documented phenomenon.
- Conservative, non-surgical observation should be considered a viable treatment option for cervical extruded disc herniations.
- This case adds to the limited literature on spontaneous cervical disc regression.