[Is epidural injection treatment with hypertonic saline solution in intervertebral disk displacement useful? (The effect of NaCl solution on intervertebral disk tissue)].

The effect of sodium chloride solution on disc tissue was investigated in vitro. Tissue material was obtained from 19 discectomies. The specimens were incubated in aqua ad injectionem and in different sodium chloride solutions and weighted regularly during a maximum of 24 hours. Following the incubation periods the specimens were examined histologically. After one hour the surgical specimens showed a weight increase of 290% for aqua bidest., 170% for 0.9% NaCl and 100% for 5.85% NaCl and 10% NaCl. Disc tissue obtained from six autopsies was also examined under the same conditions. The weight increase in nucleus pulposus and anulus fibrosus tissue was less than in the disc tissue obtained from surgery. The weight increase in anulus fibrosus tissue was less than in nucleus pulposus tissue. In vitro incubation of disc tissue in a hypermolar sodium chloride solution always resulted in a weight increase. Successful therapy could not be explained by shrinkage of disc tissue treated with hypermolar sodium chloride.