NATURAL HISTORY OF DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE UNDERGOING CONSERVATIVE MANAGEMENT. ASSESSMENT AND CT FINDINGS.

The natural history of sciatica in conservatively treated patient is not entirely clear. This study was undertaken to see morphological changes in the herniation accompanying natural resolution of sciatica. CT imaging of lumbar spine was performed for 100 patients presenting to neurology clinic with sciatica. Follow up CT of pathological disc was performed for 72 out of hundred patients after l year. During 1-year, period patients were treated conservatively with epidural injection of steroids and local anesthetics. 45(75%) out of 60 patients with disc herniation or sequestration showed partial or complete resolution. 2(6.06%) patients out of 33 patients with a generalized or local bulge showed partial or complete resolution, and 24(72.72%) patients did not demonstrate any change on follow up CT examination. Younger patients with disc herniation or sequestration having symptoms for shorter duration, showed more improvement on follow up CT examination KEY WORDS: Sciatice, Disc Disease, CT scan