Minimally Invasive Tubular Resection of Lumbar Synovial Cysts: Report of 40 Consecutive Cases.

Background: Lumbar synovial cysts are a relatively common clinical finding. Surgical treatment of symptomatic synovial cysts includes computed tomography-guided aspiration, open resection and minimally invasive tubular resection. We report our series of 40 consecutive minimally invasive microscopic tubular lumbar synovial cyst resections.

Minimally invasive intradural spinal dural arteriovenous fistula ligation.

Background: Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) have traditionally been approached through a bilateral laminectomy procedure with intradural exploration and ligation of the fistulae. A minimally invasive approach for DAVF ligation may be associated with fewer complications and a shorter recovery than the traditional laminectomy procedure. Our objective was to determine the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of intradural DAVF ligation via the use of a minimally invasive microsurgical technique.

The mini-open anterolateral approach for degenerative thoracolumbar disease.

Introduction: Anterolateral retroperitoneal, retrodiaphragmatic, and/or retropleural (RPDP) approaches have been used to treat a variety of spinal conditions. The traditional extensive thoracoabdominal approach can be modified to focus on the area of pathology. A less invasive "mini-open" anterolateral approach may be associated with fewer complications and shorter recovery than the thoracoabdominal procedure.