Unilateral biportal endoscopic spinal surgery for the treatment of Bertolotti syndrome in an adolescent, a case report - Scorecard - MDSpire

Endoscopic Unilateral Biportal Spinal Surgery for Adolescent Bertolotti Syndrome: A Case Study

  • By

  • Lingfeng Ren

  • Tianhua Qiao

  • Yan Zhang

  • Yong Wang

  • Xin Zhang

  • July 21, 2026

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Clinical Scorecard: Endoscopic Unilateral Biportal Spinal Surgery for Adolescent Bertolotti Syndrome: A Case Study

At a Glance

CategoryDetail
ConditionBertolotti Syndrome
Key MechanismsCompression of the fifth lumbar (L5) exiting nerve roots due to lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTVs)
Target PopulationAdolescents with Bertolotti Syndrome
Care SettingSpine surgery outpatient clinic

Key Highlights

  • Endoscopic decompression via unilateral biportal endoscopic technique (UBE) was performed.
  • Significant improvement in visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for back and leg pain postoperatively.
  • Patient experienced complete relief of symptoms at 3-month follow-up.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

  • Diagnosis of Bertolotti Syndrome confirmed through imaging studies.

Management

  • Conservative treatment options include NSAIDs and physical therapy.
  • Surgical intervention considered after failure of conservative treatment.

Monitoring & Follow-up

  • Postoperative follow-up to assess pain relief and recovery.

Risks

  • Potential risks associated with surgical procedures include nerve injury and complications from anesthesia.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Adolescent females with persistent lower back pain and radicular symptoms.

Endoscopic surgery can be an effective treatment option after conservative measures fail.

Clinical Best Practices

  • Careful preoperative preparation and diagnostic anesthetic block are recommended.
  • Intraoperative monitoring of nerve root integrity is crucial.

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