title: Visualization of sacral nerve roots via percutaneous intraspinal navigation (PIN).
abstract: A percutaneous technique for visualizing sacral nerve roots is described. A fiberscope was inserted into the subarachnoid space through a sheath that was inserted via a percutaneous lumbar puncture. The sacral nerve roots were identified with endoscopic visualization and x-ray fluoroscopy localization of the endoscope. These images were compared with those obtained from a videoscope, which revealed better imaging. Specific sacral nerve roots can be identified by using a combination of endoscopy and x-ray fluoroscopy. This technique may enable minimally invasive interventions such as lysis of adhesions, arachnoid cyst decompression, selective dorsal rhizotomy, and more selective and precise nerve stimulation electrode placement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan.
authors.forename: Takuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fujimoto
authors.forename: Brian P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Giles
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Replogle
authors.forename: Hitomi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fujimoto
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Phillip D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Purdy
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012447:Sacrum; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery; D013129:Spinal Puncture; D014741:Video Recording