Posterior Percutaneous Transpedicular Endoscopic Approach for Treating Single-Segment Cervical Myelopathy

Figure 2

(a) Black arrow indicates the landmark carved by the trephine on the osseous surface of the lateral mass. (b) The red circle indicates the hole drilled at the entry point. (c) A blunt endoscopic hook is used to further dissect the soft tissue and medial margin of the pedicle, which is located lateral to the entry point. (d) The endoscopic high-speed diamond burr is used to drill out the medial portion of the pedicle. (e) After removing the medial portion of the pedicle, the root of the pedicle can be visualized, as indicated by the green arrow. (f) An osteophyte and herniated nucleus pulposus (blue arrow) are located at the axilla of the nerve root and tightly compress the lateral portion of the spinal cord (yellow arrow). (g) The diamond burr is used to remove the osteophyte. (h) Total removal of the herniated disc and osteophyte. The spinal cord (yellow arrow) shows satisfactory decompression.

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