Images from the probe were displayed both on a monitor screen and on a heads up display . The endoscopic probe was used to probe 36 sawbone and 22 cadaver thoracolumbar pedicles. After cannulation each specimen was examined to assess non visualized pedicle perforation. In cadavers the cortical cancellous interface was adequately visualized and no perforations occurred. These preliminary results suggest that the endoscopic probe may have utility in the placement of thoracolumbar pedicle screws.
Epidural lipomatosis can be idiopathic or associated with obesity and steroid excess.
This disorder can be treated by weight control, reduction of steroid load or operative decompression. We describe a non obese patient with neurogenic claudication who had localized epidural fat from L4 to S1. Minimally invasive treatment consisted of a small laminotomy and endoscopically guided fat aspiration. A small bilateral L5S1 laminotomy was performed. Using a special malleable endoscopic aspirator, loose fat was removed from both dorsal and ventral to the dural sac.