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Long-term clinical efficacy of radioplaque gelified ethanol for lumbar disc herniation: a multicenter study

Authors:
Stefano Marcia at SS Trinità Hospital ASSL Cagliari ATS Sardegna
Stefano Marcia
  • SS Trinità Hospital ASSL Cagliari ATS Sardegna
Josh Adam Hirsh
Josh Adam Hirsh
Josh Adam Hirsh
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Matteo Bellini at Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese
Matteo Bellini
Luca Saba
Luca Saba
Luca Saba
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Abstract and Figures

Background and purpose Degenerative and/or herniated discs are a global cause of chronic lower back and neck pain. While multiple treatments exist, the research for long-term effective interventions with minimal side effects continues. The radioplaque gelified ethanol (RGE) (DiscoGel®, Hérouville-Saint-Clair, France), is an addition to the armamentarium of potential treatments. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy of this device in treating lumbar disc herniation through a 10-year follow-up period. Methods In this bi-centric observational study, patients treated with RGE in the lumbar spine between 2009 and 2011 were evaluated based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Collected data encompassed preoperative imaging, VAS pain scores, ODI functional scores, were recorded through 10-year follow-up. Results Fifty-two participants (26 males and 26 females) with an average age of 51.7 years were enrolled in the study. Ten years after treatment, there was a statistically significant improvement in VAS pain scores and ODI percentages (p < 0.01). Additionally, significant changes in anterior, medial, and posterior disc dimensions were observed, suggesting structural adaptations due to RGE treatment. A statistically significant difference in the anterior dimension of the treated disc was found 10 years postoperatively compared to preoperative measurements (p = 0.0011). Conclusion RGE is a promising therapeutic choice for lumbar symptomatic herniation resistant to conservative treatments, offering both immediate relief and enduring benefits. Although our findings are promising, additional randomized controlled trials are essential to compare DiscoGel® with established treatments and substantiate its efficacy.
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RESEARCH
Neuroradiology
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-025-03603-3
experience back pain at some stage in their lives [3]. Disc
herniation (DH) is a leading cause of this condition, initi-
ating pain pathways through mechanical compression and
involving immunologic and inammatory mechanisms [4,
5].
Introduction
Back pain (BP) ranks among the most prevalent disorders
globally and results in substantial burden on public health
[1, 2]. Approximately 80% of adults in Western countries
Chiara Zini
zini.chiara@gmail.com
Stefano Marcia
stemarcia@gmail.com
Josh Adam Hirsh
JA-HIRSCH@mgh.harvard.edu
Matteo Bellini
matteo.bellini@me.com
Luca Saba
lucasaba@tiscali.it
Margherita Di Stefano
mdst2292@gmail.com
Emanuele Piras
emanuelexpiras@gmail.com
1 UOC Radiologia SS. Trinità Hospital, Cagliari, Italy
2 Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
3 Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy
4 Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
5 Azienda Usl Toscana Centro, Firenze, Italy
Abstract
Background and purpose Degenerative and/or herniated discs are a global cause of chronic lower back and neck pain. While
multiple treatments exist, the research for long-term eective interventions with minimal side eects continues. The radio-
plaque gelied ethanol (RGE) (DiscoGel®, Hérouville-Saint-Clair, France), is an addition to the armamentarium of potential
treatments. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term ecacy of this device in treating lumbar disc herniation through a
10-year follow-up period.
Methods In this bi-centric observational study, patients treated with RGE in the lumbar spine between 2009 and 2011 were
evaluated based on specic inclusion and exclusion criteria. Collected data encompassed preoperative imaging, VAS pain
scores, ODI functional scores, were recorded through 10-year follow-up.
Results Fifty-two participants (26 males and 26 females) with an average age of 51.7 years were enrolled in the study. Ten
years after treatment, there was a statistically signicant improvement in VAS pain scores and ODI percentages (p < 0.01).
Additionally, signicant changes in anterior, medial, and posterior disc dimensions were observed, suggesting structural
adaptations due to RGE treatment. A statistically signicant dierence in the anterior dimension of the treated disc was found
10 years postoperatively compared to preoperative measurements (p = 0.0011).
Conclusion RGE is a promising therapeutic choice for lumbar symptomatic herniation resistant to conservative treatments,
oering both immediate relief and enduring benets. Although our ndings are promising, additional randomized controlled
trials are essential to compare DiscoGel® with established treatments and substantiate its ecacy.
Keywords Disc degeneration · Low back pain · Disc herniation · Radioplaque gelied ethanol
Received: 2 January 2025 / Accepted: 24 March 2025
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025
Long-term clinical ecacy of radioplaque gelied ethanol for lumbar
disc herniation: a multicenter study
StefanoMarcia1· Josh AdamHirsh2· MatteoBellini3· LucaSaba4· Margherita DiStefano3· EmanuelePiras1·
ChiaraZini5
1 3
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