Introduction
Percutaneous plasma disc decompression(PPDD) has been used in many spine diseases like as herniated lumbar or cervical disc, spinal stenosis, discogenic pain, etc. But there had been no research about success of decompression in PPDD. We introduce the method of confirmation for success of decompression and effect of PPDD in single level spinal stenosis.
Material and Method
Medical records were retrospectively reviewed in 25 patients treated with PPDD from March 2016 to January 2018. The success of decompression of PPDD had been identified by epidurography with wire type catheter. The wire type catheter was inserted via caudal hiatus to target segment of spinal stenosis. Before PPDD, contrast media were injected through catheter. PPDD was done and after PPDD contrast media were injected again by same method. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and walking distance (or walking time) were checked before PPDD and 1 month after PPDD.
Results
After PPDD, epidurographic enhances were increased in 19 patients (76%). VAS score, ODI and walking distances after PPDD were more improved than before PPDD. VAS scores were from 7.2±3.4 to 4.3±3.7, ODI were from 48,3±26.3 to 36.3±22.4, walking distances were from 353±243m to 670±384m.
Conclusion
Epidurographic method with catheter would be good method for verify the success of decompression by PPDD, and PPDD is effective of single level spinal stenosis.