Percutaneous treatment of cervical disk hernias using gelified ethanol

Abstract

This study investigates the efficacy of chemonucleolysis using RGE in the treatment of cervical disk hernias in a small sample of patients who had cervical diskogenic or radicular pain secondary to disk herniations. Results were satisfactory in 89.5% patients, with no adverse events recorded during the procedure or after. The use of RGE shows promising results and might be a feasible and safe alternative in the treatment of cervical disk hernias.

Figures

Fig 1.

Cervical disk hernia. A, Lateral fluoroscopy during injection of radiopaque gelified ethanol. B, MR image obtained before treatment. C, CT scan obtained after treatment showing the radiopaque gel following the fissure of the disk and penetrating the extruded fragment.

Fig 2.

A, MR image before treatment in a patient with cervical and radicular pain and a C5-C6 disk hernia. B, MR image 6 weeks after treatment with minimal change in the morphology of the hernia, but the patient is clinically asymptomatic. C, MR image 4 years after treatment shows complete disappearance of the disk hernia. The patient remains asymptomatic.