Minim Invasive Neurosurg 2007; 50(1): 1-6
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-970056
Original Article

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Endoscopic Treatment of Lumbar Arachnoiditis

J. P. Warnke 1 , S. Mourgela 2
  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Paracelsus Hospital, Zwickau, Germany
  • 2Neurosurgical Department, “Agios Savas” Anticancer Institute, Athens, Greece
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
04 June 2007 (online)

Abstract

Objective: The diagnosis of lumbar arachnoiditis remains complex and often inconclusive. Using the technique of lumbar subarachnoidal endoscopy (thecaloscopy), the pathology can be identified and the patient treated with long-term effects on the symptoms.

Method: Endoscopic operations were performed on 23 patients suffering from varying symptoms with an enlarged lumbar subarachnoidal space. Having confirmed the diagnosis of lumbar arachnoiditis, a number of endoscopic operations ranging from adhesiolysis to subarachno-epidurostomy were carried out.

Results: Radicular symptoms in lumbar arachnoiditis were successfully relieved by various endoscopic dissection techniques, such as restoration of the improved CSF flow by subarachno-epidurostomy along the rootlet. This has been identified as one of the causal factors of the clinical symptoms. In cases where lumbar pain persists in spite of a previous thecaloscopy, further treatment with a lumboperitoneal shunt device has proved most successful.

References

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Correspondence

J. P. WarnkeMD 

Department of Neurosurgery

Paracelsus Hospital Zwickau

Werdauer Str. 68

08008 Zwickau

Germany

Phone: +49/375/590 16 01

Fax: +49/375/590 16 04

Email: dr.jan-peter.warnke@pk-mx.de