Transforaminal Endoscopic Lumbar Foraminotomy for Iatrogenic Foraminal Stenosis Following Vertebroplasty

We present a case of iatrogenic lumbar foraminal stenosis caused by bone-cement leakage during vertebroplasty, successfully managed using transforaminal endoscopic lumbar foraminotomy (TELF). Vertebroplasty is an effective treatment for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs); however, complications such as bone-cement leakage can lead to vascular or neurological issues, including lumbar radiculopathy. TELF is a minimally invasive surgical option for addressing various forms of lumbar foraminal stenosis. An 82-year-old female patient presented to Gachon University Gil Medical Center with severe right inguinal pain radiating to the anterior thigh and knee. Six months prior, she had undergone vertebroplasty at the L3 level for an osteoporotic VCF at another hospital. Following the procedure, she developed radicular leg pain with a diminished knee jerk reflex, which progressively worsened despite extensive conservative treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography revealed right-sided L3-4 foraminal stenosis caused by bone-cement leakage from the prior vertebroplasty. TELF was performed under local anesthesia to decompress the affected area. Bone-cement fragments, along with hypertrophic bone and ligaments, were successfully removed, achieving sufficient decompression of the exiting nerve root. The patient experienced immediate postoperative pain relief. This case represents the first documented instance of endoscopic decompression for iatrogenic foraminal stenosis following vertebroplasty. TELF, performed safely under local anesthesia, demonstrates its effectiveness as a minimally invasive solution for this rare complication.