Thoracic disk herniation with hematoma--case report

A 54-year-old man presented with an extremely rare case of intervertebral disk herniation with hematoma in the thoracic spine, manifesting as acute progressive numbness and muscle weakness in the bilateral lower extremities. He had been treated with anticoagulants. Magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic spine showed intervertebral disk herniation and severe compression of the spinal cord at T9-10, appearing as hyperintense on T(1)- and hypointense on T(2)-weighted imaging suggestive of concomitant hematoma. His symptoms completely resolved after resection of the brownish herniated disk material. Old hemorrhage was also aspirated from the intervertebral disk space. Hemosiderin deposition was found in the cartilaginous tissue of the resected disk. Intervertebral disk herniation with hematoma is extremely rare, but may occur in patients with bleeding diathesis.     

Idiopathic spinal cord herniation: report of three cases and review of the literature

STUDY DESIGN: Three case reports and a literature review are presented. OBJECTIVE: To describe characteristic clinical and radiographic findings of idiopathic spinal cord herniation. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Idiopathic spinal cord herniation is a rare disease, with only 26 cases reported before the current study. METHODS: Three cases of idiopathic spinal cord herniation are reported, and previous reports on this subject are reviewed. RESULTS: The responsible regions were in the thoracic spine from T2 to T7. Symptoms were mainly unilateral muscle atrophy in the lower extremity and sensory disturbance below the thoracic level. These symptoms had been progressing gradually. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a unique feature: The spinal cord shifted anteriorly in a few segments. Computed tomographic myelogram showed another distinctive picture: There was no subarachnoid space anterior to the spinal cord. CONCLUSIONS: Because idiopathic spinal cord herniation is out of the concept of "compression myelopathy," this condition may be a pitfall in the diagnosis. Idiopathic spinal cord herniation should be recognized as one of the treatable causes for thoracic myelopathy.     

Thoracic disk herniation manifesting as sciatica-like pain--two case reports

Two patients presented with sciatica-like pain caused by thoracic disk herniation. Sciatica-like pain was the initial and major symptom in both patients, but careful neurological examination showed vague signs of upper motor neuron disturbance, and thoracic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed disk herniations at the mid-thoracic level. After video-assisted thoracoscopic discectomy, the pain was completely improved. Thorough neurological examination and MR imagery of the thoracic spine, and if needed, even the cervical spine, are required if lumbar image findings do not correlate with the symptoms or physical examination.     

Two-level disc herniation in the cervical and thoracic spine presenting with spastic paresis in the lower extremities without clinical symptoms or signs in the upper extremities.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: There is no report in the literature of two-level disc herniation in the cervical and thoracic spine presenting with spastic paresis/paralysis exclusively in the bilateral lower extremities. PURPOSE: To identify the clinical characteristics of specific myelopathy resulting from C6-C7 disc herniation through a case with spastic paresis in the lower extremities without upper extremities symptoms due to separate disc herniation in the cervical and thoracic spine, which was surgically removed in two stages. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: A case report. METHODS: A 48-year-old man developed a gait disturbance as well as weakness and numbness in the lower extremities. Thoracic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a T11-T12 disc herniation, which was removed under the surgical microscope through a minimally invasive posterior approach. He improved, but 2 months after surgery developed recurrent numbness and spasticity. On this occasion, no evidence of recurrence of the thoracic disc herniation could be identified, but cervical MRI demonstrated a compressed spinal cord at the C6-C7 level. The patient had no neurological findings in the upper extremities. The herniated disc at C6-C7 was removed under the surgical microscope with laminoplasty. RESULTS: The symptoms gradually improved after surgery. At the present time, 2 years and 9 months after the initial operation, the patient had a stable gait and was able to work. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience suggests that in the diagnosis of patients with spastic paresis and sensory disturbances in the lower extremities, spinal cord compression should be explored by imaging studies not only in the thoracic spine but also in the cervical spine, especially at the C6-C7 level, even if the symptoms and abnormal neurological findings are absent in the upper extremities.     

Single-level Calcified Cervical Disk Herniation in a 13-year-old Girl

This article describes a case of a 13-year-old girl with single-level calcified cervical disk herniation. The patient was treated conservatively for a symptomatic intervertebral calcification that caused neurological compression, and the data were reviewed retrospectively. Previous reports have shown that the natural history of the disease is self-limiting with a benign course and an excellent prognosis. However, on rare occasions when the calcified nucleus pulposus herniates into the spinal canal and compresses the spinal cord or its roots, neurological abnormalities can occur, such as radiculopathy and myelopathy. This also raises the question of whether operative therapy will eventually be necessary.In the current case, conservative treatment was applied. Plain radiographs are usually sufficient to determine the presence and extent of a calcified cervical disk, and computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging can detect an associated disk herniation. Conservative treatment with antalgics, muscle relaxants, neurotrophic drugs, and a cervical collar were applied. The patient was completely free of symptoms 3 weeks after the initial treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging indicated complete vertebral canal clearance at final follow-up.Cervical intervertebral disk calcification and herniation is a rare disorder in children with an obscure etiology but a good prognosis. Conservative therapy produces satisfactory results, even if clinical symptoms due to nerve root or spinal cord compression are present. Surgical treatments are only suitable in rare cases with severe progressive radicular pain or neurological deficit.     

Far lateral thoracic disc herniation presenting with flank pain.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Although thoracic disc herniations are rare, misdiagnosis is an undesirable situation, as it results not only in unnecessary diagnostic studies and surgical procedures, but also in progressive myelopathy and paralysis. Therefore, it is important to be aware of patients with thoracic disc herniations presenting with unusual or atypical symptoms mimicking other non-spinal disorders. PURPOSE: A patient with left flank pain compatible with urinary system disorder, who proved to have thoracic disc herniation, is presented. STUDY DESIGN: Case report METHODS: The cause of the patient's pain could not be elucidated until thoracic spine magnetic resonance imaging revealed a left thoracic 10-11 lateral disc herniation with associated nerve root compression. RESULTS: Conservative therapy including bed rest and analgesic medication was initiated. He had complete pain relief within the same day. CONCLUSION: Thoracic disc herniation should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with pain likely caused by nonspinal disorders, especially if basic diagnostic studies do not reveal the cause.     

Brown-Sequard syndrome revealing intradural thoracic disc herniation

Brown-Sequard syndrome (BSS) is a rare form of severe myelopathy characterised by a clinical picture reflecting hemisection of the spinal cord. This syndrome is mostly due to a penetrating injury to the spine but many other non-traumatic causes have been described. Intradural thoracic disc herniation (TDH) is one of the rare aetiologies of this syndrome. Despite progress in imaging techniques, diagnosis and treatment remain difficult. We retrospectively reviewed one of the largest reported series of six patients with BSS revealing intradural TDH between 2003 and 2007. There was a marked female predominance and the mean age was 44 years. Before surgery, half of the patients had a severe neurological deficit. The mean duration of symptoms until surgery was 8.5 months (range 0.5–24 months). Spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or spine computer tomography scan showed calcified TDH between T5–T6 and T9–T10. The intradural location of the thoracic herniation was strongly suspected from the clinical data. All the patients underwent posterolateral transpedicular surgery with an operative microscope to open the dura mater. The intradural location of the herniation was overlooked in one case and the patient underwent a second procedure. The dura mater was carefully closed. Two patients’ condition worsened immediately after the surgery before slowly improving. All the other patients improved their neurological status immediately after the surgery and at 12 months follow-up. BSS with TDH on the spine MRI scan may be a warning symptom of the intradural location of the herniated disc. In such cases, spine surgeons are advised to use an operative magnification and to open the dura mater to avoid missing this potentially curable cause of severe myelopathy.     

Herniation of calcified intervertebral disk in a lumbar vertebral body presenting as acute scoliosis in a child. A case report and literature review.

Herniation of a calcified intervertebral disk into the cervical and thoracic spine is a well-documented entity, but herniation of a calcified intervertebral disk into the lumbar spine presenting as acute scoliosis has not been previously reported.     

History of surgery for ruptured disk

The history of surgery for ruptured disk of the human spine began approximately a century ago. Advances in the understanding of symptoms and signs of root or cord compression, their relationship to the pathology, and the refinement in imaging techniques have contributed to the present surgical management of rupture disk disease. Historical findings relevant to the cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral regions of the spine, with relevant pathophysiology, imaging, and surgical treatment, including the evolution of various surgical approaches are discussed. Surgeons and other contributors in the medical field are cited for their respective contributions to the evolution of the present operative approaches for disk ruptures in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spinal regions.     

Lumbar disk herniation with contralateral symptoms

The aim of the study is to determine if leg pain can be caused by contralateral lumbar disk herniation and if intervention from only the herniation side would suffice in these patients. Five patients who had lumbar disk herniations with predominantly contralateral symptoms were operated from the side of disk herniation without exploring or decompressing the symptomatic side. Patients were evaluated pre- and postoperatively. To our knowledge, this is the first reported series of such patients who were operated only from the herniation side. The possible mechanisms of how contralateral symptoms predominate in these patients are also discussed. In all patients, the shape of disk herniations on imaging studies were quite similar: a broad-based posterior central-paracentral herniated disk with the apex deviated away from the side of the symptoms. The symptoms and signs resolved in the immediate postoperative period. Our data clears that sciatica can be caused by contralateral lumbar disk herniation. When operation is considered, intervention only from the herniation side is sufficient. It is probable that traction rather than direct compression is responsible from the emergence of contralateral symptoms.     

Thoracic intervertebral disc herniations: diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging

Thoracic disc herniation is relatively rare and frequently poses a challenge in clinical diagnosis. These protrusions have been categorized into two major anatomical types and three main clinical syndromes. A number of characteristic radiographic features have been reported. Recently, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has gained popularity as a neurodiagnostic imaging tool. A series of nine cases of thoracic intervertebral disc herniation is reported. The clinical aspects of the cases are discussed, and the potential value of spine MRI for thoracic disc herniation diagnosis is emphasized.     

Emergency thoracic diskectomy for the acute onset of paraplegia: report of two cases

BACKGROUND: Thoracic disk herniation is a rare event, and acute presentation of this lesion is even less common. METHODS: Case reports. FINDINGS: Both patients presented with rapidly progressing lower extremity weakness and sphincter dysfunction. Radiographic work-up revealed large herniated thoracic disks with spinal cord compression. Emergency thoracic diskectomy was performed. RESULTS: Both patients had partial reversal of neurologic and sphincter abnormalities after emergency surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic disk herniation, although rare, should be considered when patients present with acute thoracic myelopathy. Early surgical intervention may reverse some neurologic injuries.     

Intermittent cervical traction and thoracic manipulation for management of mild cervical compressive myelopathy attributed to cervical herniated disc: a case series

STUDY DESIGN: Case series. OBJECTIVE: To describe the management of 7 patients with grade 1 cervical compressive myelopathy attributed to herniated disc using intermittent cervical traction and manipulation of the thoracic spine. BACKGROUND: Intermittent cervical traction has been indicated for the treatment of patients with herniated disc and has been suggested to be helpful for patients with cervical compressive myelopathy. Manipulation of the thoracic spine has been utilized to safely improve active range of motion and decrease pain in patients with neck pain. METHODS AND MEASURES: Seven women with neck pain, 35 to 45 years of age, were identified as having signs and symptoms consistent with grade 1 cervical compressive myelopathy. Symptom duration ranged from less than 1 week to 52 weeks. All patients were treated with intermittent cervical traction and thoracic manipulation for a median of 9 sessions (range, 2-12 sessions) over a median of 56 days (range, 14-146 days). Numeric Pain Rating Scale and Functional Rating Index scores served as the primary outcome measures. RESULTS: The median decrease in pain scores was 5 (range, 2-8) from a baseline of 6 (range, 4-8), and median improvement in Functional Rating Index scores was 26% (range, 10%-50%) from a baseline of 44% (range, 35%-71%). Dizziness was eliminated in 3 out of 4 patients and chronic headache symptoms were improved in 3 out of 3 patients. There were no adverse events or outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Intermittent cervical traction and manipulation of the thoracic spine seem useful for the reduction of pain scores and level of disability in patients with mild cervical compressive myelopathy attributed to herniated disc. A thorough neurological screening exam is recommended prior to mechanical treatment of the cervical spine.     

Full-endoscopic discectomy for thoracic disc herniations: a single-arm meta-analysis of safety and efficacy outcomes

Introduction

Surgical intervention is the treatment of choice in patients with thoracic disc herniation with refractory symptoms and progressive myelopathy. Due to high occurrence of complications from open surgery, minimally invasive approaches are desirable. Nowadays, endoscopic techniques have become increasingly popular and full-endoscopic surgery can be performed in the thoracic spine with low complication rates.

Methods

Cochrane Central, PubMed, and Embase databases were systematically searched for studies that evaluated patients who underwent full-endoscopic spine thoracic surgery. The outcomes of interest were dural tear, myelopathy, epidural hematoma, recurrent disc herniation, and dysesthesia. In the absence of comparative studies, a single-arm meta-analysis was performed.

Results

We included 13 studies with a total of 285 patients. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 89 months, age from 17 to 82 years, with 56.5% male. The procedure was performed under local anesthesia with sedation in 222 patients (77.9%). A transforaminal approach was used in 88.1% of the cases. There were no cases of infection or death reported. The data showed a pooled incidence of outcomes as follows, with their respective 95% confidence intervals (CI)—dural tear (1.3%; 95% CI 0–2.6%); dysesthesia (4.7%; 95% CI 2.0–7.3%); recurrent disc herniation (2.9%; 95% CI 0.6–5.2%); myelopathy (2.1%; 95% CI 0.4–3.8%); epidural hematoma (1.1%; 95% CI 0.2–2.5%); and reoperation (1.7%; 95% CI 0.1–3.4%).

Conclusion

Full-endoscopic discectomy has a low incidence of adverse outcomes in patients with thoracic disc herniations. Controlled studies, ideally randomized, are warranted to establish the comparative efficacy and safety of the endoscopic approach relative to open surgery.

     

Ossification of the proximal thoracic ligamenta flava causing acute myelopathy in a Caucasian: case report and literature review

STUDY DESIGN: Case report and literature review. OBJECTIVE: To illustrate that ossification of the proximal thoracic ligamenta flava can be a rare cause of acute myelopathy in a Caucasian patient and that timely surgery can lead to a good outcome. SETTING: Nottingham, UK. METHODS: Proximal multiple contiguous ossified thoracic ligamenta flava from T3/T4 to T5/T6 causing acute myelopathy was diagnosed in a Caucasian man based on history and examination followed by magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scanning. The literature is reviewed for all reported cases of ossified ligamenta flava causing myelopathy in Caucasians. RESULTS: Following prompt diagnosis and T3 to T5 laminectomies, our patient made near-complete neurological recovery over a 10-month period. This condition usually affects the lower thoracic spine. Although chronic and subacute myelopathy secondary to this circumstance has been reported in Caucasians, acute myelopathy has not been reported and proximal thoracic involvement has been reported twice. CONCLUSION: Ossification of the proximal thoracic ligamenta flava can be a rare cause of acute myelopathy in Caucasians. Prognosis following decompressive surgery is usually good.     

Myelopathy induced by a thoracic intraspinal synovial cyst: case report and review of the literature

STUDY DESIGN: A follow-up study of a patient with myelopathy resulting from a thoracic intraspinal synovial cyst was conducted. OBJECTIVE: To present this unusual form of myelopathy, and to highlight this unique condition by a literature review. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Intraspinal synovial cysts are quite common in the lumbar spine, but much rarer in the thoracic spine, where they may produce myelopathy from spinal cord compression. The reported patient presented with a lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis, but actually was symptomatic from a thoracic synovial cyst. METHODS: Clinical and radiographic details of a patient with a thoracic intraspinal synovial cyst are presented. A complete literature review also summarizes previously published material on this topic. RESULTS: The thoracic intraspinal synovial cyst was appropriately identified on a magnetic resonance image examination. The patient underwent successful thoracic spinal cord decompression with stabilization and fusion. The myelopathy resolved postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The possibility of a thoracic synovial cyst should be considered in the evaluation of pain associated with myelopathy.     

Thoracic transdural spinal cord herniation at a level caudal to prior discectomy

To outline a scenario of acquired transdural spinal cord herniation not previously described. The authors report their experience with a patient found to harbor a thoracic transdural spinal cord herniation at the disk space immediately caudal to a prior discectomy. Documentation of the radiographic progression of this patient’s spinal cord herniation is presented, spanning the course of 13 years. The patient underwent intradural repair of his dural defect via a lateral extracavitary approach. The herniated spinal cord was successfully reduced. The patient had modest improvement in his symptoms at 2-year follow-up. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this case represents the first reported case documenting this anomaly at a level adjacent to that of a previous surgery within the thoracic spine.     

Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia involving the thoracic spine with myelopathy: case report and review of the literature

Background contextPolyostotic fibrous dysplasia (PFD) seldom involves the thoracic spine and usually presents with back pain.PurposeTo describe an extremely rare presentation of an uncommon disease.Study design/settingWe present a case report from a university hospital.MethodsWe report a case of symptomatic thoracic PFD associated with myelopathy and pathologic fracture. A thorough search of PubMed/MEDLINE was performed for the terms “polyostotic fibrous dysplasia,” “spine,” and “neurological deficit.”ResultsThe patient was treated by posterior laminectomy, vertebroplasty, and pedicle screw fixation and fusion. Satisfactory results were achieved, and there were no complications.ConclusionsIn the spine, PFD may lead to pathologic fracture and myelopathy even after adolescence. Vertebroplasty with or without decompression and fixation may be the appropriate option for cases with myelopathy.     

Thoracic spondylosis: an unusual cause of myelopathy

Narrowing or stenosis of the spinal canal may result in myelopathy, radiculopathy, and neurogenic claudication. Degenerative changes, or spondylosis, are the most common causes of these symptoms throughout the spinal axis, but these changes are encountered least frequently in the thoracic region. The pathological changes consisting of laminar, articular process, and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, with a variable degree of disc degeneration, are the same in the thoracic spine as the changes found in the lumbar and cervical regions. We present seven patients with symptomatic thoracic spondylosis evaluated over the past 4 years. Spinal computed tomography readily defined the abnormality. A predilection for the T10-T-12 levels is evident. The prognosis for at least partial recovery is good, even in those with long-standing disease and severely impaired function. The previous literature concerning this unusual cause of thoracic compression is reviewed, and the differential diagnostic possibilities are discussed.