Idiopathic Thoracic Spinal Cord Herniation with Neurological Involvement in Operated Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Case Report

Kumar Shetty; Amit Awachat; Vikas Gupte; Shrinivas Prabhu

doi:10.18502/jost.v11i1.18012

Kumar Shetty Consultant Spine Surgeon, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, Mumbai, India
Amit Awachat Clinical Spine Fellow, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, Mumbai, India
Vikas Gupte Senior Consultant Spine Surgeon, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, Mumbai, India
Shrinivas Prabhu Assistant Professor, MGM Institute of Medical Science, Kamothe, Navi Mumbai, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jost.v11i1.18012

Keywords: Spinal Cord; Hernia; Brown-Sequard Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Idiopathic spinal cord herniation (ISCH) is a rare, often misdiagnosed condition without clear pathogenesis with slowly progressive thoracic compressive myelopathy. There are less than 200 cases documented in the literature. As the diagnosis is often delayed, the patient may undergo unnecessary investigation, which may lead to irreversible, progressive neurological deterioration before confirming the diagnosis. In delayed diagnosis, even after surgical intervention, patient prognosis is guarded.

Case Report: We present a case of a 56-year-old woman with gradually worsening myelopathy with mainly lower limb sensory-motor symptoms.

Conclusion: Early diagnosis and treatment with surgical intervention in the patient with ISCH with a neurologic deficit results in a good prognostic outcome.