Abstract
Since 1986, we had been experimentally studying Laser Nucleotomy with Nd; YAG laser because of its superior coagulation effect for the water-rich tissue such as nucleus pulposus.
The purpose of this report is to investigate the feasibility of a newly-developed pressure transducer for measuring Intradiscal Pressure (IDP), and to recognize the decompression effect after intradiscal laser irradiation.
Materials were anesthetized dogs. IDP measurement had been done with needle type transducer before and after irradiation. Irradiation was done under 10 W power with duration of 0.3 sec. intermittened by a pause of 1.7 sec.
After laser irradiation, the stepped like decompression had been observed with correspondence to the total delivered energy.
The usefulness of this pressure transducer was recognized, and the measurement of IDP is speculated to be essential examination to decide the treatment indication and to determine the decompression effect during procedures, especially in combination with MR imaging.
