Recurrent Radiculopathy Following Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Successful Management with Endoscopic Sacroiliac Joint Ablation.

Introduction: Low back pain persisting after spine surgery presents diagnostic and treatment complexities for spine surgeons. Failed back syndrome is a term usually used to characterize chronic back or leg pain following spine surgery. Research has indicated a range of persistent pain occurrences after spine surgery. The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) has been recognized as a potential source of pain for a long time but has not received sufficient attention in subsequent years. Dysfunctions in the SIJ can result in a spectrum of clinical conditions, such as low back pain and lower limb radiculopathy. Traditional treatment approaches for SIJ disorders often involve conservative measures such as physical therapy, medications, intra-articular injections, and surgical options. In the past decade, endoscopic SIJ ablation has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative for managing SIJ pain and dysfunction. This approach combines minimal invasiveness with precise targeting, potentially reducing morbidity and enabling quicker recovery compared to open surgical procedures. Case Report: A 60-year-old female patient with grade 2 L5-S1 lytic listhesis initially underwent lumbar interbody fusion to address chronic low back pain and radiculopathy, resulting in significant symptom resolution for a brief period. The patient experienced a resurgence of symptoms within a short duration that proved refractory to conventional medical management and interventional pain management procedures. Ultimately, the patient achieved sustained relief after undergoing endoscopic SIJ ablation. Conclusion: This case report highlights the importance of endoscopic SIJ ablation as an innovative treatment for recurrent lower limb radiculopathy. Focusing on the SIJ, often neglected in lumbar spine surgery, this minimally invasive procedure shows promise in alleviating symptoms and enhancing patient outcomes.

Postoperative discal pseudocyst: Report of A case with an unusual complication after microlumbar discectomy and successful treatment by transforaminal endoscopic lumbar decompression.

Background: Lumbar discal pseudocysts are uncommon complications that can arise following lumbar spine surgery. It manifests as a fluid-filled sac near the intervertebral disc, causing pain and discomfort. Understanding its causes, symptoms, and management is crucial for patients and healthcare professionals involved in postoperative spinal care. Case Description A: 35-year-old female developed a discal pseudocyst after undergoing laminectomy and discectomy for lumbar disc herniation. The patient presented with recurrent lower back pain, radiculopathy, and neurological deficit two months post-surgery. Imaging revealed a discal pseudo cyst causing compression of the traversing right L5 nerve root. Given the refractory nature of her symptoms, an endoscopic procedure was offered. Using the transforaminal endoscopic technique, the pseudo cyst was identified and removed, leading to immediate symptomatic relief. Conclusion: This article reports the rare occurrence of discal pseudocyst and highlights the use of endoscopic techniques in its surgical management. Surgeons should be aware of the minimally invasive techniques, as they can offer less morbidity, shorter recovery times, and reduced healthcare costs compared to traditional open surgery.

An algorithm for selection of full endoscopic approach for symptomatic nerve root decompression.

Background Context: Both Transforaminal (TF) and Interlaminar (IL) endoscopic approaches are established techniques of decompression for lumbar compressive radiculopathy. In the absence of adequate literature, there is always some dilemma in selecting the approach for endoscopic decompression leading to long learning curves and high chances of inadequate decompression, iatrogenic instability, dural tear, or dysesthesia. Hence authors propose a new surgical nomenclature and algorithm for selection of endoscopic approach. Methods: This retrospective study included 396 of 626 consecutive patients who met the inclusion criteria, who underwent either TF (n=302) or IL (n=202) full endoscopic spine surgery. MRI findings of every patient were classified as per FAPDIS (Facet angle, Anterior pathology, Posterior pathology, Dorsal, Inferior, and Superior migration) algorithm. Inter-observer variations were calculated. The targeted nomenclature was used to define the selection of endoscopic TF or IL approach for symptomatic nerve root decompression. All patients were followed up for preop and postop 6 months VAS and Oswestry Disability Index score for validation of FAPDIS algorithm. Results: Median age: 46.8 years; Sides and levels operated 330 single-level ipsilateral, 54 multiple-level ipsilateral, 6 single-level bilateral, and 6 multiple-level bilateral. Interobserver agreement in the selection of TF approach was 0.873 and IL approach was 0.882. Interobserver variability was also calculated for each FAPDIS factor, selection of P3 and P4 pathology was the main reason for disagreement. All other FAPDIS factors show good to excellent correlation. The overall VAS score decreased from a preoperative value of 9 to 1 at 6 months follow-up (p-value < 0.001), and the overall Oswestry Disability Index score improved from 89 to 12 (p-value <.001). Conclusions: The author's new FAPDIS surgical nomenclature and algorithm is a reliable tool for describing the symptomatic nerve root compression for the selection of endoscopic surgical approach to achieve adequate decompression of offending neural structure with minimum challenges to minimize perioperative complication rate.

Extramedullary myeloid sarcoma mimicking tuberculosis of spine: A case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: A definitive diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis (TB) remains challenging. The "gold standard" is to obtain histopathological confirmation of the lesion. This analysis highlights how to avoid missing the diagnosis of an extramedullary myeloid sarcoma (EMS) versus TB. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 25-year-old male presented with paraparesis. Although this was first attributed to TB spondylodiscitis, a PET-CT and reevaluation of the biopsy specimen both confirmed the diagnosis of an EMS. CONCLUSION: Nontubercular spinal disease should be suspected when a patient deteriorates despite the institution of antitubercular therapy for a reasonable duration. Further, microbiological and/or pathological confirmation is warranted to direct appropriate treatment and differentiate spinal TB from other entities as, in this case, an EMS.

Rosai Dorfman disease of the spine causing lumbosacral radiculopathy: A case report.

Rosai Dorfman disease (RDD) also known as sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (SHML) is a rare non-malignant proliferative disorder of unknown etiology. Here we present a case of Rosai Dorfman disease of the spine causing lumbo-sacral radiculopathy. CT and MRI revealed lytic expansile lesion in the left half of L4 vertebra mainly involving posterior aspect involving left pedicle and transverse process. Patient underwent surgery at L3-4 level by left fenestration. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of Rosai Dorfman disease. Skeletal involvement is a very rare presentation seen in 2% case with involvement of long bones including tibia, femur, humerus, clavicle and bones of hand. RDD affecting the spine has been rarely reported in literature. A team approach involving the radiologist, spine surgeon, pathologist and oncologist will lead to the early diagnosis and appropriate management of this rare clinical entity.

Suprailiac versus transiliac approach in transforaminal endoscopic discectomy at L5-S1: a new surgical classification of L5-iliac crest relationship and guidelines for approach.

BACKGROUND: Approach to the L5-S1 level with transforaminal access can be challenging. Some surgeons employ the interlaminar or paraspinal endoscopic approach as an alternative apart from the other minimally invasive posterior surgical options. To precisely target and safely access disc herniations at L5-S1, the authors attempted to stratify patients into trans and supra iliac approach groups and propose a simple surgical classification based on the radiographic findings. METHODS: A prospective study was performed on a cohort of 90 patients with L5-S1 disc herniation who underwent transforaminal endoscopic discectomy through suprailiac or transiliac approach depending on the best trajectory to access the herniated disc. Preoperative radiological assessment was done on anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the lumbosacral spine by two independent observers. The proposed classification and approach guidelines were used to stratify patients for the preferred access route. The outcome was measured as mean VAS and ODI scores pre-operative and at 6 months post-operative and compared using the null hypothesis (P value) and the paired t-test. The interrater reliability was calculated as the percentage agreement between different observers. RESULTS: The L5-S1 disc herniation was treated with the transforaminal approach in 46 patients via the suprailiac and in the remaining 44 patients via the transiliac approach. There were statistically significant VAS and ODI reductions in patients of both groups (P<0.05). Interrater reliability of 92.5% using percent agreement shows strong level of agreement. CONCLUSIONS: This surgical approach classification based on radiographs aids in the preoperative planning for selection of patients to either suprailiac or transiliac approach for transforaminal endoscopic surgery at L5-S1 level.

Adolescent Lumbar Disc Herniation with a Peculiar Gait Pattern Managed by Transforaminal Endoscopic Spine Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is common manifestation of a degenerative disease involving tensile failure of the annulus to contain the gel like nuclear portion of the disc. Lumbar herniated discs can often cause muscle weakness, reduced motor function, and change in walking capacity and gait pattern. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of an 18-year-old obese hypertensive male, with multiple level lumbar disc herniation, with a neurological deficit and failed conservative treatment. The patient was successfully operated by minimal invasive endoscopy approach and had a marked improvement in the neurological status post-surgery. Post-surgery, his neck regained normal posture, with no back or leg pain. At present, he is walking with a normal gait pattern after a 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Here, we describe a unique gait abnormality in a patient with adolescent LDH. Transforaminal endoscopic spine surgery had good functional outcomes with minimal morbidity.