Outcome studies are ongoing and better outcomes appear in patients with acute to subacute discogenic spinal pain syndromes. No cysts or spinal cord herniation were identified at operation. Proposed pathologic features may represent a type of arachnoiditis with proliferation of fibrous tissue. 28 Indications Spinal endoscopy is indicated for patients suffering from chronic back pain with radiculopathy or radiculitis and who failed conservative therapy. Many of the patients have nerve roots encapsulated with adhesive scar tissue, clinical inflammatory changes and traction on the nerve root.
Additional indications continue to be defined as the technology advances.
Contraindications are outlined in Table 2. To date no serious post operative complication has been reported. Post dural puncture headache Skill, experience and strict regards for sterile technique are essentials to a successful outcome. The patient is placed in the prone position. Strict sterile technique is used throughout the procedure.