Acute Cauda Equina Syndrome after Percutaneous Transforaminal Endoscopic Discectomy

Abstract

Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar discectomy (PELD) has proved to be a good alternative to open micro-discectomy for treatment of lumbar disc herniation. This technique has been shown to be associated with several peri-operative complications and morbidities. These include postoperative dysesthesia secondary to nerve root injury, dural tears, hematoma, infection and recurrence of disc herniation. In this report, we are presenting a rare case of L4-5 disc herniation that was treated surgically with PELD and was complicated by early recurrence causing acute cauda equina syndrome. Our aim is to highlight on this rare complication that should be taken into consideration by minimally invasive spine surgeons utilizing PELD in their practice.

Keywords

• percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy
• complications
• cauda equina syndrome