Unexpected Recovery: A Report On The Spontaneous Regression Of A Herniated Cervical Disc
Aljohani, S., Alshanqiti, M., & Alzahrani, M. (2023). Unexpected Recovery: A Report on the Spontaneous Regression of a Herniated Cervical Disc. Cureus, 15(7), e41429. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.41429
View Original Source →Abstract
We describe a case in which a herniated cervical disc was compressing the spinal cord. Surgical treatment was offered based on the patient's symptoms and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but the patient declined. The patient's symptoms were relieved after 10 months of nonsurgical intervention, and a subsequent MRI revealed that the cervical disc herniation (CDH) had regressed. This phenomenon is well established in the lumbar region but remains rare in the cervical spine. We recommend opting for conservative management and frequent follow-ups for patients with CDH unless they present with a surgical urgency.
Case Details
Disease Location
C5-c6 intervertebral disc
Personal Characteristics
47-year-old female
Clinical Characteristics
Presented with severe progressive neck pain and left upper limb radiculopathy that started three weeks ago. The pain mildly improved with analgesia. Cervical MRI showed a large left paracentral/foraminal c5-c6 disc prolapse and severe canal/foraminal stenosis. She opted for conservative treatment, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids), gabapentin, and muscle relaxant.
Remission Characteristics
A repeat MRI was done 10 months after the initial presentation as part of the follow-up plan. The results indicated a resolution of the extruded fragment, with only minimal foraminal narrowing observed
Treatment & Mechanisms
Clinical Treatment
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids), gabapentin, and muscle relaxant.