Percutaneous diskectomy in the treatment of herniated lumbar disks

APLD and the minimally invasive approach to spine surgery has stood the test of time successfully. With the advent of new imaging technologies to aid in the guidance of spine procedures, such as three-dimensional ultrasound, interventional MR imaging, and fluoroscopic CT, and the development of flexible instruments that can be navigated within the disk, the stage is now set for major breakthroughs in the treatment of herniated lumbar disks (i.e., the minimally invasive removal of extruded and free disk fragments). With the active role of radiologists and sophisticated imaging, minimally invasive spinal intervention has a bright and exciting future.