AI Article Synopsis
- Bertolotti's syndrome (BS) causes chronic low back pain due to enlarged transverse processes in the lower spine, and the study explores a surgical technique for its treatment.* -
- A patient with over 10 years of lower back pain was diagnosed with BS and successfully treated using minimally invasive surgery; significant pain relief was reported post-operation.* -
- The study concludes that effective treatment of BS involves specialized surgical techniques, resulting in a quick recovery and return to normal activities for the patient.*
Article Abstract
Background: Bertolotti's syndrome (BS) is characterized by the enlargement of transverse processes in caudal lumbar segments, causing chronic and persistent low back pain or sciatica. The present study aimed to describe our surgical technique for BS treatment and to review existing literature describing unsatisfactory outcomes.
Case Presentation: We report a patient who complained of lower back pain and soreness that intermittently radiated to his left leg for longer than 10 years. Based on an examination of his symptoms and signs, including imaging and electrical physiology assessments, in addition to the report of temporary pain relief after a local steroid injection to a diagnostic trigger site (articulation between the transverse process and the sacral ala or iliac crest), the patient was diagnosed with BS. The applied surgical techniques included minimally invasive, three-dimensional C-arm guidance, a tubing approach, and microscopic and bone cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator-assisted operations. After surgery, improvements were reported on the visual analog scale (from 8 to 2 points on a 10-point scale) and the straight leg raising test for the left leg (20° to 90°) within 3 days. The patient gained an ordinary life and returned to work within one week of surgery, with no observed postoperative complications.
Conclusions: Minimally invasive tubular microscopic decompression and disarticulation is an effective method for treating BS. However, to achieve a successful outcome, it is recommended to use physician-proficient techniques that are in line with the patient's diagnosis.
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|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8812153 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12893-022-01498-y | DOI Listing |
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