Spontaneous regression of extruded lumbar disc herniation: Case report and its pathogenesis

Abstract

Lumbar disc herniation is a common disease that present with back pain and radicular pain. The most efficient method for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation is still controversial. Spontaneous regression of lumbar disc herniation has been recognized with the advancement of radiological diagnostic tools and can explain the reason of spontaneous relief of symptoms without treatment. The proposed hypothesis are; dehydration, retraction of the disc herniation in the annulus fibrosus, enzymatic catabolism and phagocytosis. In this study we present a case with large lumbar disc herniation regressing by itself and the potential mechanisms of disc regression have been discussed.