Percutaneous Endoscopic Surgery for Lumbar Discal Cyst: Two Case Reports
Shiqi Suo1, Yanan Chen1, Xirui Mao1
1Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056002, China.
Journal of Medical Cases
|August 26, 2021
Summary
Percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal surgery effectively treated lumbar discal cysts in two patients. This minimally invasive technique provided immediate symptom relief and complete cyst removal without complications.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Spinal Surgery
Background:
- Discal cysts are rare spinal conditions with unclear pathogenesis, often mimicking lumbar disc herniation.
- Current treatment for lumbar discal cysts lacks consensus, with surgery being common but varied.
- Conservative management often fails, necessitating surgical intervention for persistent symptoms.
Observation:
- Two patients presented with unilateral lower extremity and lower back pain due to lumbar 4-5 discal cysts.
- Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed discal cysts compressing the spinal dura and nerve roots.
- Symptoms persisted after over six months of conservative treatment.
Findings:
- Percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal surgery was performed under local anesthesia without additional discectomy.
- Immediate relief of symptoms was observed post-excision of the discal cysts.
- Postoperative imaging confirmed complete cyst removal and spinal decompression, with no recurrence or complications during follow-up.
Implications:
- Percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic surgery offers a safe and minimally invasive option for discal cyst treatment.
- This technique demonstrates significant clinical utility in managing lumbar discal cysts.
- Further research may establish this endoscopic approach as a standard treatment modality.
