PMC3259140_01
Serial images of balloon decompressive foraminoplasty using a 3 Fr Fogarty catheter filled with contrast medium. (A) A needle was placed in the L4 intervertebral foramen and contrast medium was injected to confirm the epidural space. The contrast agent spread to the sleeve region in a slit-like pattern. (B, C) Balloon decompression was serially performed along with intervertebral neural foramen. (D) After balloon decompression, the spread pattern of contrast agent appeared wider, suggesting that perineural adhesiolysis had been achieved.
kjpain-25-55-g001.jpg
PMC3259140_01_kjpain-25-55-g001.jpg
F1
After sterile preparation of the surgical field, an 18 G R-K needle (Epimed International, Gloversville, USA) was introduced into the L5 intervertebral foramen, and its tip was confirmed as being in the anterior epidural space by injection of contrast medium (Fig. 1).
PMC3259140_02
PMC3259140_03