Long-term clinical efficacy of radioplaque gelified ethanol for lumbar disc herniation: a multicenter study

Degenerative and/or herniated discs are a global cause of chronic lower back and neck pain. While multiple treatments exist, the research for long-term effective interventions with minimal side effects continues. The radioplaque gelified ethanol (RGE) (DiscoGel^®, Hérouville-Saint-Clair, France), is an addition to the armamentarium of potential treatments. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy of this device in treating lumbar disc herniation through a 10-year follow-up period.

In this bi-centric observational study, patients treated with RGE in the lumbar spine between 2009 and 2011 were evaluated based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Collected data encompassed preoperative imaging, VAS pain scores, ODI functional scores, were recorded through 10-year follow-up.

Fifty-two participants (26 males and 26 females) with an average age of 51.7 years were enrolled in the study. Ten years after treatment, there was a statistically significant improvement in VAS pain scores and ODI percentages (p < 0.01). Additionally, significant changes in anterior, medial, and posterior disc dimensions were observed, suggesting structural adaptations due to RGE treatment. A statistically significant difference in the anterior dimension of the treated disc was found 10 years postoperatively compared to preoperative measurements (p = 0.0011).

RGE is a promising therapeutic choice for lumbar symptomatic herniation resistant to conservative treatments, offering both immediate relief and enduring benefits. Although our findings are promising, additional randomized controlled trials are essential to compare DiscoGel^® with established treatments and substantiate its efficacy.