title: Minimally invasive surgical treatment of Bertolotti's Syndrome: case report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article aims to provide more insight into the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of Bertolotti's syndrome, which is a rare spinal disorder that is very difficult to recognize and diagnose correctly. The syndrome was first described by Bertolotti in 1917 and affects approximately 4 to 8% of the population. It is characterized by an enlarged transverse process at the most caudal lumbar vertebra with a pseudoarticulation of the transverse process and the sacral ala. It tends to present with low back pain and may be confused with facet and sacroiliac joint disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this case report, we describe a 40-year-old man who presented with low back pain and was eventually diagnosed with Bertolotti's syndrome. The correct diagnosis was made based on imaging studies which included computed tomographic scans, plain x-rays, and magnetic resonance imaging scans. The patient experienced temporary relief when the abnormal pseudoarticulation was injected with a cocktail consisting of lidocaine and steroids. In order to minimize the trauma associated with surgical treatment, a minimally invasive approach was chosen to resect the anomalous transverse process with the accompanying pseudoarticulation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient did well postoperatively and had 97% resolution of his pain at 6 months after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As with conventional surgical approaches, a complete knowledge of anatomy is required for minimally invasive spine surgery. This case is an example of the expanding utility of minimally invasive approaches in treating spinal disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Kene T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Ugokwe
authors.forename: Tsu-Lee
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Klineberg
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Steinmetz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000379:methods*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D013577:Syndrome; D016896:Treatment Outcome