Minimally invasive treatment of spinal diseases

Summary

Treatments of spinal diseases can be performed safely under CT and MRI guidance. Both techniques allow full transparency of all structures in the body. In combination with micro endoscopy small endoscopes with a diameter less than 1 mm can be used to visualize the operative field in the foramen intervertebrale or in the spinal canal. Small arteries and vessels under 0.01 mm can be seen and protected. Facet joint treatment, periradicular therapy are less invasive methods with a wide indication for spinal diseases. In cases with free fragments we have developed a new technique for percutaneous seques-trectomy. The combination of CT scanning, fluoroscopy MRI and micro endoscopy for guidance of nucleotomes, lasers and micro instruments offers a safe and effective treatment of small free fragments and scar tissue in the spinal canal and the foramen.

Key Words:

• image-guided surgery
• micro endoscopy
• spinal treatment
• nucleotomy