Daniel S.J. Choy

Letter to the Editor: The Black-Choy Sign

273 To the Editor, I am the medical inventor who invented laser angioplasty of coronary arteries at the University of Toulouse in 1983, and when several large medical device companies stole my laser catheter patent, I developed percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD) in 1984. Professor Peter Ascher and I performed the first case at the University of Graz in February 1986. In the course of 21 years of treating herniated disc disease with the Nd:YAG laser, I have come across two abnormal neurological signs that were previously unnamed:

Role of Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression in the Treatment of Discogenic Back Pain

These results indicate that discogenic back pain, whether diagnosed clinically or via discogram, is amenable to PLDD. In the future, more comprehensive studies must be performed to support these findings. Based on this small study population, it can be concluded that PLDD may be an effective treatment for discogenic back pain with minimal natural recurrence.

Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression: A 10-Year Follow-Up of Clinical Data

In today’s world of fad diets and miracle cures, one might be skeptical when first finding out about percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD). How effective and long lasting could this seemingly painless and instantaneous procedure be? After seeing the results of the PLDD firsthand, one could still query what the long-term outcomes might be. After further research, a study was devised to follow-up on patients who underwent this procedure 10 years ago. Low back pain is one of the major causes of lost work time and disability in the United States. For pain due to herniated discs, a variety of treatment modalities have been prescribed, including open discectomy, microdiscectomy, and automated nucleotome discectomy. The disadvantages of these treatment options are general anesthesia, greater risks, the requirement for hospitalization and the longer recovery times associated with the procedures. By contrast, PLDD is an enticing alternative given the low risk, immediate relief, and long-lasting benefits. Percutaneous laser disc decompression is indicated for nonsequestered herniated discs, failed back syndrome, repeat procedures on reinjured discs and most recently, extruded nonsequestered discs.1 Since Choy and Ascher first introduced PLDD in Austria in February 1986, over 35,000 procedures have been performed worldwide.2 With a growing need came Food and Drug Admin-