Endoscopic-Assisted Spinal Arachnoiditis Adhesiolysis and Placement of a Spinal Cysto-Subarachnoid Shunt.

Abstract

Spinal arachnoiditis and associated arachnoid adhesions can cause debilitating neurological symptoms due to nerve root and spinal cord compression or tethering. Adhesiolysis using a microscopic approach has traditionally been used for this condition. This procedure has been further refined in recent years with the use of flexible endoscopes. We report the case of a patient with progressive thoracic myelopathy secondary to arachnoid adhesions associated with arachnoiditis. A minimally invasive technique of adhesiolysis and placement of a cysto-arachnoid shunt was performed with the assistance of a flexible endoscope. The present case report has highlighted the advantages of using a flexible endoscope to treat spinal arachnoiditis adhesiolysis and placement of a cysto-arachnoid shunt, including a smaller skin incision and extended visualization.