• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.1-12
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• 2001

Study design : A retrospective study of lumbar disc herniations using results of follow-up computed tomographic scan examinations. Objective : Lumbar disc herniations is one of the cause low back pain and lower extremity pain. To clarify the lumbar disc herniations morphological changes over time(mean 5.3 years) in order to establish a strategy for treatment. Methods : Sixteen patients with lumbar disc herniations who underwent follow-up computed tomographic scan examinations were studied. The changes over time in herniated disc size(herniation ratio) were evaluated using this scan technique. The initial computed tomographic scan allowed classification of the herniations according to herniation ratio: small, medium and large. Results : Comparison with follow-up computed tomographic scans showed that of the 16 patients, in 14 patients(88%), the herniation ratio(HR) was decreased and among them, 8 patients had complet resolution of herniated disc. In 2 patients with small herniations, the HR of one case was increased, the other was decreased. In 8 patients with medium herniations, the HR of one case had no change, the others was decreased. In 6 patients with large herniation, the HR of all patients was decreased. Interestingly, 4 of the 16 patients showed calcification change of herniated disc. Conclusion : There is no doubt that herniated disc size is decreased over time. The largest herniations were those which had the greatest tendency to decrease in size. But in some cases, the HR was increased, or calcification change was showed.