Intradural disc herniation: Radiographic findings and surgical results with a literature review

"Floating Island" Technique: Case Series of a Novel Technique for Surgical Management of Interdigitating Calcified Thoracic Disc Herniations

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to describe the use of a novel approach, the "floating island" technique, to surgically address calcified thoracic disc herniation (cTDH) that interdigitates with adjacent dura and to report clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients.

METHODS

A retrospective case series was conducted by examining the electronic medical records of consecutive patients who underwent thoracic discectomy from August 2017 to December 2022. Of 65 patients treated for thoracic disc herniation, 37 had cTDHs. Five of these 37 patients underwent treatment with the floating island technique, which involves osseous separation, debulking, and ligamentous separation.

RESULTS

The floating island technique was applied using the posterolateral approach in 3 patients and the anterolateral approach in 2 patients. One patient experienced a cerebrospinal fluid leak, which was managed without a lumbar drain. All patients showed radiographic improvement of spinal cord compression postoperatively and were admitted to an intensive care unit for 1 night. Hospital stays ranged from 2 to 6 nights, with 4 patients discharged home and 1 to a rehabilitation facility. Neurological improvement or baseline status was observed in all patients at discharge, with follow-up ranging from 9 to 24 months. Nurick grade improved in all patients by at least 1 point, with no progression of symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

The floating island technique offers a promising option for the surgical management of interdigitating cTDH, demonstrating excellent immediate radiographic and long-term clinical outcomes. Further studies are needed to validate these findings and determine the technique's generalizability.

Intradural T12-L1 disc herniation in a patient with achondroplasia: A case report

Background

There are very few reports of intradural disc herniations associated with achondroplasia described in the literature.

Case Description

A patient with achondroplasia presented with progressive paraparesis attributed to a magnetic resonance-documented intradural disc herniation at the T12-L1 level occupying more than 90% of the spinal canal. It was successfully removed through a T12 laminectomy with durotomy; note a laminectomy would have been contraindicated if this had been an extradural anterior/anterolateral disc. Postoperatively, the patient progressively improved and, within 6 months, had 4/5 proximal/distal function and full sphincter control.

Conclusion

A patient with achondroplasia and an intradural T12/L1 disc herniation (i.e., unlike an extradural anterior/anterolateral thoracic disc) successfully underwent a decompressive laminectomy with near full resolution of their preoperative paraparesis.

Intradural lumbar disc herniation with cauda equina syndrome: Case report and recent advances

Introduction

Intradural lumbar disc herniations (IDDH) are unusual and represent less than 0.3% of all lumbar disc herniations. They have a higher incidence of cauda equina syndrome. The possibility of intradural disc herniation is often missed on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and during surgery if the size of the disc prolapse is inconsistent with the compression seen on the MRI. In such situations, the possibility of IDDH should be suspected.

Research question

How to diagnose intradural disc herniation pre-operatively? Surgical techniques if the intra-dural disc herniation is encountered intra-operatively.

Material and methods

In this article, we describe a case report of an intradural disc herniation (IDDH) causing cauda equina syndrome at the L4-5 level and who underwent surgical decompression. This case report highlights that by doing a dorsal durotomy and by using microsurgical techniques, excision of the intradural disc fragment can be achieved without any rootlet injury.

Results

At a 2-year follow-up, the patient has recovered completely from motor weakness and bowel and bladder incontinence.

Discussion and conclusion

Though uncommon intra-dural disc herniation can be diagnosed pre-operatively by its characteristic signs or by using newer techniques like 3-dimensional constructive interference in steady state (CISS) MRI. Intra-operative ultrasonography (IOUS) is a handy tool to localise and diagnose intra-dural disc herniation intra-operatively and its use is encouraged. Timely intervention can lead to acceptable outcomes even with cauda equina syndrome.

A case of intradural lumbar disc herniation

Key Clinical Message

MRI remains the best tool in the diagnosis of this disease entity however preoperative diagnosis remains a difficult task. A high degree of suspicion is raised when intraoperative findings and preoperative image description become incompatible.

Abstract

Lumbar disc herniation into the dural space is a rare phenomenon of lumbar disc degeneration with an unclear remaining pathogenesis. Intraoperative ultrasonography and histopathological examination of resected specimen help in the diagnosis of intradural disc herniation. Prompt surgery is recommended due to the high incidence of cauda equina syndrome.

Intradural lumbar disc herniation of L2-L3: A case report and literature review

Background

Intradural lumbar disc herniation (ILDH), especially upper lumbar intradural disc herniation, is a rare type of lumbar disc herniation (LDH). However, it may have severe and complex symptoms, causing serious impact on the patients. Additionally, it is difficult to be diagnosed with limited experience. Few studies on L2-L3 ILDH have been reported in the literature. This study presents such a case and reviews the incidence, etiology, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this disease, so as to provide guidance and experience for clinicians.

Case presentation

A 27-year-old male patient had a one-month history of severe lower back pain and left lower extremity weakness after lumbar sprain. He could not walk due to progressive symptoms. Physical examination revealed that straight leg raising and femoral nerve stretch tests on the left side were positive. Magnetic resonance imaging of lumbar showed an intradural disc protruding into the ventral dural sac at the L2-L3 level. He was diagnosed ILDH of L2-L3, finally. An urgent operation was performed to remove the intradural disc fragment. The patient's symptoms improved significantly, postoperatively. After eight months of follow-up, he returned to normal life with only slight lower back pain.

Conclusions

ILDH at the L2-L3 level is an extremely rare type of LDH. Its diagnosis often requires a combination of symptom, physical examination, and imaging examination due to no typical symptoms or imaging features. A detailed preoperative plan including the definition of the position, calcification, migration, and adhesion of intradural intervertebral discs to decrease the risk of surgery, prevent the occurrence of complications, and promote postoperative prognosis of patients.

Intradural lumbar disc herniation: A case report and literature review

Study design and objection

Intradural disc herniation is a unusual disease associated with spinal surgery. The definitive diagnosis of intradural herniation depends on intraoperative findings.

Summary of background data

We present the case of a 63-year-old woman with backache and left sciatica radiation for more than two months. The L2/3 laminectomy and discectomy were performed after magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study; however, no disc rupture was noted during surgery. Follow-up lumbar spine MRI revealed one large, ruptured disc. The patient underwent revision surgery with durotomy. The large intradural disc was found and removed piece by piece.

Methods Results and Conclusions

Intradural disc herniation, especially large herniation, is hard to diagnose specifically despite the progression of neuroradiologic imaging techniques. A durotomy procedure should be considered if there is a missing ruptured disc or a palpable intradural mass during surgery.

Intradural disc herniation of L2/3: A case report and literature review

Background

Intradural herniation (IDH) or transdural disc herniation is a rare presentation of lumbar disc disease. Preoperative imaging findings should be carefully and thoroughly interpreted. Although imaging modalities such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are readily available, a definitive diagnosis cannot be made based solely on these modalities. Operative procedures must be planned to prevent unexpected complications.

Case description

A 67-year-old man presented with right lower extremity weakness and numbness with bowel and bladder involvement for 2 weeks, after falling from a standing position. MRI revealed a large herniated disc at L2-L3, which was suspected to be IDH. Posterior discectomy and interbody fusion were also performed. Intraoperative findings revealed no disc material in the epidural space or dural sac tenting. Dorsal midline durotomy was performed, and a mass-like lesion was found and resected. Subsequently, pathological analysis revealed disc tissue with evidence of moderate chronic inflammation and a focal increase in fibrosis. The patient was discharged without complications.

Results (Outcome)

Lower extremity strength improved to grades IV-V, accompanied by a return to normal bowel and bladder function within 1 month, without any wound complications. Lower extremity strength recovered fully to grade V, and the patient started walking independently within 6 months.

Conclusions

A large disc herniation, suspected to be an IDH, should be thoroughly investigated by carefully reviewing MRI scans before proceeding with any surgical procedure to prevent unexpected situations. Nonetheless, preoperative imaging alone does not ensure a definitive diagnosis, and the differential diagnosis must include other mass-like lesions. Intraoperative findings and pathological reports are essential for definitive diagnosis of IDH.

Multispecialty perspective on intradural disc herniation: diagnosis and management - A case report -

Background

Intradural disc herniation (IDH) is a very rare and challenging diagnosis, with an estimated incidence of less than 1.5%. The pathogenesis of IDH remains uncertain. Definitive management remains surgical; however, some cases may initially be managed non-surgically.

Case

A middle-aged male with presented with acute right-sided lumbar radiculopathy following heavy lifting. History was significant for prior lumbar disc herniation managed non-surgically. Lumbar MRI demonstrated a large disc herniation. The patient was initially treated non-surgically with epidural steroid injections. At 4-months, he re-injured and follow-up images demonstrated the herniated disc penetrating the dura and the diagnosis of intradural disc herniation.

Conclusions

The present case is rare because the IDH occurred at the L3-4 level and resulted in unilateral radiculopathy without cauda-equina symptoms and occurred in the absence of prior surgery. This patient was initially treated non-surgically with satisfactory relief, however, reinjury led to progression of IDH with new neurological deficits necessitating surgery.

Intradural Lumbar Disc Herniation From the Lateral Inner Surface of the Dura Without a Penetration Hole: A Case Report

Intradural disc herniation (IDH) is usually diagnosed during surgery when a herniated mass is found to have penetrated the ventral dura. We experienced a case of IDH that entered the dura from the lateral side with no penetrating hole. A 61-year-old man presented to our institution with left leg pain of two months' duration. Plain x-ray imaging showed degeneration of the lumbar spine, and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan revealed a suspected tumor at the L3-L4 level. Two weeks later, the patient suffered from acute cauda equina syndrome. A gadolinium-enhanced MRI showed an enlarged lesion with no enhancement visible, and emergency surgery was performed. The lesion originated from the left side of the dura. Despite the white debris suggesting a herniated disc, no penetrating hole was found in the dura. Pathologically, the lesion was found to be an intervertebral disc and was diagnosed as an intradural lumbar disc herniation. The patient’s neurological symptoms improved, but he did not recover his left ankle dorsiflexion. In a degenerated lumbar spine, IDH may not always originate from the ventral dura and may not be accompanied by a penetrating hole.

Intradural lumbar disc herniation: illustrative case

BACKGROUND

Accounting for less than 0.4% of disc herniations, intradural lumbar disc herniations (ILDHs) are a rare occurrence primarily described as a complication after lumbar spine surgery. It is speculated that the herniation may propagate intradurally from either an unrecognized dural defect after initial surgery or as a result of adhesions between the dura and posterior longitudinal ligament. This report explores the etiology, presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment of ILDH along with a case report and microsurgery video.

OBSERVATIONS

A 67-year-old patient who 1 year earlier had undergone an L2–5 laminectomy and L2–3 decompression with no known complications presented with low back pain and radiating right leg, buttock, and groin pain for 1 month. Physical examination indicated no numbness or weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a large ILDH. A transforaminal interbody fusion was performed followed by a durotomy, ILDH removal, and dural closure. A ventral dural defect was found and repaired during the procedure.

LESSONS

The treatment for ILDH is laminectomy with dorsal durotomy. Because ILDH has rarely been described in literature, understanding its presentation is crucial for prompt identification and management.

Case series of intradural disc in recurrence of lumbar disc prolapse

Intradural disc herniation is a rare entity reported at 0.04-1.1% that occurs most commonly in the lumbar spine particularly at L4-L5 region. There is a paucity of literature due to the rarity of this condition. Intradural disc herniations must be considered in the differential diagnosis of prolapsed intervertebral disc disease especially with recent worsening of symptoms and mismatch of unenhanced magnetic resonance induction (MRI) findings. The confirmation is made with intraoperative findings. An intradural disc herniation is most often diagnosed intraoperatively. Contrast enhanced MRI scan is mandatory for pre-operative diagnosis. We report on two cases presenting to our unit in the form of recurrent intradural disc disease following previous lumbar surgery occurring within 3 months of the index procedure in both cases.

Intradural disc herniation at L4/5 level causing Cauda equina syndrome: A case report

RATIONALE

Intradural disc herniation has been documented rarely and the pathogenesis remains unclear. The region most frequently affected by intradural lumbar disc herniations is L4-5 level, and the average age of intradural disc herniations is between 50 and 60 years. Although magnetic resonance imaging is a valuable tool in the diagnosis of this disease, it is still difficult to make a definite diagnosis preoperatively.

PATIENT CONCERNS

In this report, we described a 58-year-old male patient who presented with intermittent pain of low back and radiating pain of the both lower extremities for 2 years as well as decreased muscle strength of the both legs and dysfunction of urinary and defecation for 1 month.

DIAGNOSIS

Lumbar disc herniation was diagnosed during the first clinical examination in the local hospital. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass disc filling almost the entire spinal canal at the L4/5 level and a stalk connecting the mass to the intervertebral disc was detected in the sagittal T2-weighted image. The massive lesion caused cauda equina compression, resulting in dysfunction of urinary and defecation.

INTERVENTIONS

Considering the mass's volume, bilateral hemilaminectomy, and transforaminal lumbar interbody infusion were performed. During the surgery, we found a perforation in the ventral dura and major part of herniated disc was located in the intradural space through it. The disc was carefully dissected from the surrounding nerve roots and the ventral dura and then totally removed. The defect on the ventral dura was sutured to prevent cerebrospinal fluid leakage.

OUTCOMES

The patient presented complete recovery of the radiculopathy and cauda equina syndrome and significant improvement of muscle strength of both legs at 12 months follow-up.

LESSONS

The diagnosis of intradural disc herniations is very difficult and mainly based on intraoperative and histopathological results. Surgical intervention is only effective method to manage this disease and to relieve symptoms and prevent severe neurological deficits.

Intradural Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Case Report and Literature Review

Background

Lumbar disc herniation into the dural space is a very rare phenomenon of degenerative lumbar lesions in the elderly population, and its potential pathogenesis and natural course remain unclear.

Case description

We describe a rare case of intradural lumbar disc herniation. A 68-year-old man presented with progressive lower back pain and radiating pain and numbness in both legs for 3 years. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large herniated disc at L4-L5. Posterior discectomy and fusion of the L4-L5 was performed after conservative treatment failed. Intraoperatively, only minimal disc fragments in the epidural space were found after meticulous probing following laminectomy of the L4-L5 vertebrae. The dorsal dura mater was saturated, tense, and bulged at the L4-L5 levels; additionally, an intradural mass was palpable and confirmed by intraoperative ultrasonography. Subsequently, dorsal middle durotomy was performed. Upon opening the dural sac, a large cauliflower-like mass similar to nucleus pulposus tissue was found near the arachnoid membrane. The mass was dissociative and could be completely resected. The dorsal dural incisions were closed after careful exploration, followed by fixation and fusion of the L4-L5 levels. Pathological examination revealed disc tissue with central balloon-type cystic degenerative changes. The patient’s lower back pain and radiating pain and numbness of both legs improved remarkably postoperatively, and he became asymptomatic at 3 months postoperatively.

Conclusion

Intradural lumbar disc herniation should be highly suspected when intraoperative findings are incompatible with findings from the preoperative imaging examination, and it could be further confirmed via intraoperative ultrasonography and pathological examination of the resected tissue from the dural space. Prompt surgery is recommended, and surgical results are usually favorable. We also reviewed the literature and discussed the potential pathogenesis, natural course, diagnosis, and treatment of intradural lumbar disc herniation.

Preoperative radiographic clues for transdural disc herniation: could it be predictable?

BACKGROUND

Transdural disc herniation (TDH) is a rare event accounting for 0.3-1.5% of all disc herniation cases. Considering the risk of leakage of the cerebrospinal fluid from the dural defect after removal of TDH or incomplete removal, it is very important to recognize TDH before surgery. This study is a retrospective case analysis to analyze the imaging findings of seven cases and to construct a preoperative prediction model for TDH.

METHODS

Retrospective radiographic examination was performed among patients operated for TDH in two institutions from 2008 to 2018. The radiographic images were analyzed according to the following eight signs: including absence of dural tent, complete block of spinal canal, hawk-beak sign, double-layered lesion, increased distance between the dura and cauda equina, rim enhancement, dural tent enhancement, and epidural gas. To clarify the predictive ability of these radiographic signs, consecutive 131 surgically confirmed epidural disc herniation (EDH) patients for the last 2 years were set as a control group for TDH. The sum of radiographic findings was compared between TDH and EDH patients to determine the cutoff value.

RESULTS

There were 1 thoracic and 6 lumbar TDHs among 75 thoracic and 6674 lumbar disc herniation cases with an incidence of 1.33% and 0.09%, respectively. Dural tent (p = 0.000, odds ratio = 106.67), double-layered lesion (p = 0.000, odds ratio = 22.69), and distance between the dura and cauda equina (p = 0.007, odds ratio = 52.00) were statistically significantly different between TDH and EDH. According to the receiver operating characteristic curve, the cutoff value of 1.5 had 85.7% sensitivity and 90.8% specificity.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative imaging can be useful for TDH diagnosis. It is safe to consider the possibility of TDH in patients with more than two findings in the preoperative images.

Unexpected Intradural Lumbar Disk Herniation Found During Transforaminal Endoscopic Surgery

BACKGROUND

Intradural disk herniation (IDH) is defined as the displacement of the intervertebral disk nucleus pulposus into the dural sac. In this lumbar lesion, the affected level differs from that of a traditional extradural herniation: 55% of cases occur at the level of L4-5, 16% at L3-4, and 10% at L5-S1. Upper lumbar IDH is extremely rare. We present a case of an IDH at the level of L2-3 that was diagnosed during endoscopic surgery.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 65-year-old male patient presented with severe radiating pain in the anterior right thigh that was accompanied by a tingling sensation in the right calf and difficulty in walking. Physical examination showed normal strength. Bladder and bowel function was normal, but mild hypesthesia of the L3 sensory dermatome was observed. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a herniated disk at the level of L2-L3 that was compressing the right side of the dura. A percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic lumbar diskectomy was planned. After foraminoplasty, no ruptured disk fragments could be found. During dissection of the adhesion between the dura and protruded disk, the dura was torn. Interestingly, through this dural opening, multiple fragmented disk portions were visualized among the nerve rootlets. We removed some of the soft disk material; however, complete removal of the disk fragments was predicted to damage the rootlets, and we decided to convert to microscopic surgery. The disk fragments were successfully removed via durotomy under microscopic assistance. The incised dorsal dura was primarily sutured with continuous stitches, and the defect on the ventrolateral side of the dura was patched and sealed using a harvested inner ligamentum flavum and Gelfoam (Pfizer, New York, New York, USA). After the operation, the patient's symptoms improved. There was no cerebrospinal fluid leakage.

CONCLUSIONS

If there is any preoperative clinical or radiologic suspicion of IDH, a microscopic surgical approach should be considered to be the first-line option, as this is a safe and effective method for achieving IDH removal and dura repair without a postoperative neurologic deficit. Even during endoscopic surgery, if the surgeon expects even minor complications, we suggest converting to open surgery. In addition, the adequate sealing of the dura may be sufficient to prevent cerebrospinal fluid leakage, without the need for dural suture and lumbar drainage.

Imaging of Acute Low Back Pain

Acute low back pain, defined as less than 6 weeks in duration, does not require imaging in the absence of "red flags" that may indicate a cause, such as fracture, infection, or malignancy. When imaging is indicated, it is important to rule out a host of abnormalities that may be responsible for the pain and any associated symptoms. A common mnemonic VINDICATE can help ensure a thorough consideration of the possible causes.

Transforaminal Endoscopic Excision of Intradural Lumbar Disk Herniation and Dural Repair

BACKGROUND

Intradural disk herniation is a rare entity with <0.3%-1% of all disk herniations and at an L2-L3 level even rarer. The dural defects repairs on ventral aspect are technically challenging and may not be possible after durotomy, so many authors have placed fascia, muscle, or plugging by the hemostatic material. The surgical treatment of intradural disk herniation is usually posterior open surgery with formal durotomy to remove the disk fragments with good to fair results. Poorer outcome occurs in late-presenting cases.

CASE REPORT

We report on a 78-year-old man who presented with spontaneous low back pain and bilateral buttock pain aggravated for 1 month with severe walking difficulty without bowel and bladder symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed disk herniation at the L2-L3 level. He underwent a transforaminal endoscopic removal of intradural disk fragments via the original rent in the anterolateral aspect of the dura, and sealing was performed with dural patch and Gelfoam without any lumbar drain. The patient's symptom significantly improved postoperatively with muscle power improved to grade 5 on day 1 with no cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and he was mobilized with a lumbar orthosis on the first postoperative day. Postoperative and at 6-month follow-up, magnetic resonance imaging revealed adequate decompression and successful sealing of the ventral dural defect.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first case of transforaminal endoscopic treatment of intradural disk herniation at an L2-L3 level in which good clinical outcomes were obtained and maintained until recent follow-up of 8 months.

Intradural lumbar disc herniation detected by 3D CISS MRI

A 73-year-old man who presented with right lumbosciatic pain underwent a neurosurgical operation for a voluminous L2–L3 disc herniation, seen on conventional MRI images. No disc herniation was identified in the epidural space during the surgery. Just after the operation, the patient started to present pain in the left L3 territory and was not able to walk any more. A second MRI including three-dimensional (3D) high-resolution constructive interference in steady state (CISS) sequence showed that the voluminous L2–L3 disc split the posterior longitudinal ligament and the anterior dura mater, extended intradurally and compressed the cauda equina to the right. The patient underwent a second surgery, which permitted to cure the symptoms. 3D high-resolution CISS should be considered to accurately depict intradural disc herniation in order to optimally guide the surgical approach.

Multiple Intradural Disc Herniations Masquerading as Intradural Extramedullary Tumors: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Intradural disc herniation is a very rare condition, and multiple intradural disc herniations have not been reported to date. The latter may be confused with intradural extramedullary (IDEM) spinal tumors. Here, we report a case of multiple intradural disc herniations masquerading as multiple IDEM tumors and review the relevant literature. We retrospectively reviewed the patient's medical chart, reviewed the intraoperative microscopic findings, and reviewed of PubMed articles on intradural disc herniation. The masses considered to be IDEM tumors were confirmed to be multiple intradural disc herniations. A nonenhancing mass was found to have migrated along the intra-arachnoid space. Two enhancing masses could not migrate because of adhesion and showed peripheral neovascularization. We report an extremely rare case of multiple intradural lumbar disc herniations showing diverse enhancing patterns and masquerading as multiple IDEM tumors. In case of multiple enhancing IDEM masses suspected preoperatively, surgeons should consider the possibility of intradural disc herniation.

Against the Odds: Massive Lumbar Intradural Disk Herniation in the Elderly

Study Design Case report. Objective Presentation of an unusual case of an elderly patient with massive intradural disk herniation at the L2-L3 level. Methods Clinical and imaging data are presented after obtaining informed consent from the patient. Results A 90-year-old man suffering from sudden-onset neurogenic bladder dysfunction and lower back pain but no further neurologic deficits initially presented with magnetic resonance imaging and laboratory values suggestive of an intraspinal infection. However, intraoperative inspection proved the unexpected finding of a large intradural lumbar disk herniation at the L2-L3 level. Conclusions Lumbar soft disk herniation to the intradural space is a rare event and has never been described in a patient over the age of 75. This case of a 90-year-old man with acute-onset bladder dysfunction underlines the necessity to consider this as a differential diagnosis in the case of a newly diagnosed intradural mass.