Spontaneous regression of herniated cervical disc: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Background: We have reviewed 75 cases plus our own single instance of spontaneous regression of herniated cervical discs. Methods: We searched PubMed and EMBASE databases (until September 2020) utilizing the following keywords; “spontaneous regression,” “herniated cervical disc,” and “Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) studies.” Results: In the literature, we found 75 cases of herniated cervical discs which spontaneously regressed; to this, we added our case. Patients averaged 40.95 years of age. Discs were paracentral or foraminal in 84% of the cases, with most occurring at the C5-C6 (51%) and C6-C7 (36%) levels. Symptoms included neck pain/radiculopathy (91%) or myelopathy (9%). The average interval between initial presentation and spontaneous regression of herniated discs on MRI was 9.15 months. Interestingly, on MRI, extruded/sequestrated discs were more likely to undergo spontaneous regression versus protruding discs. Conclusion: Successive MRI studies documented the spontaneous regression of herniated cervical discs over an average of 9.15 months. Although this may prompt greater consideration for conservative treatment in younger patients without neurologic deficits, those with deficits should be considered for surgery.