Abstract
This report is based on our clinical results of 31 patients who were treated with automated percutaneous nucleotomy (PN) for cervical disc herniation. Their main complaints were radiculo-neuralgia resistant to conservative treatments.
The average improvement rate of JOA scores for all types of cervical disc herniation treated by PN was 81.2%, while the average improvement rate of the pain scores was 70.6% (out of a possible 6 points). It was found that they had no complications and comparatively slight decrease on cervical range of motion. PN may be the substitution for former operative treatments of cervical disc herniation patient if the problem is a pain caused by soft disc herniation and the patient is not paralyzed.
We have categorized discography findings for cervical disc herniations into subligamentous extrusion type herniations and epidural leak type. Categorized in this way, the former had a better average improvement rate of JOA scores and of the pain scores than the latter. Also, we distinguished those who had reoccurring pain at discography from those who did not. Categorized in this way, the former had a better average improvement rate of JOA scores and significantly better average improvement rate of the pain scores than the latter.
We conclude from the above-mentioned facts that better results on PN for cervical disc herniation can be acquired if PN is used for those who have reoccurring pain at discography and whose discography findings are not epidural leak type.
