Ordinary disc herniation changing into posterior epidural migration of lumbar disc fragments confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging: a case report of a successful endoscopic treatment

Posterior epidural migration of thoracic and lumbar disc material: a comprehensive 63-year systematic review with anatomical perspectives

This study aims to thoroughly investigate the clinical presentation, duration of symptoms, radiological aspects of posterior epidural migration of disc fragments (PEMDF), and assess various treatment options and their impacts on patient functionality. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. We conducted a comprehensive search in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus from inception to March 2024. Patient demographic and clinical outcomes data were extracted from articles that met the inclusion criteria. The extracted data included patients' age, sex, duration of symptoms (months), clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging, PEMDF spinal level, surgical technique used, and functional outcome and clinical improvement with follow-up (months). The primary outcomes of interest were total recovery (complete resolution of neurological deficits), partial recovery (clinical improvement with residual neurologic deficits), stable status (no change from the patient's baseline), and worst outcome (new symptoms or neurological deficits appearing post-surgical treatment). This review examined 105 studies on the pathology of posterior epidural migration of disc fragments, including 29 case series and the remainder as case reports, involving a total of 175 patients. The median age of the cohort was 54 years (range, 19-95), with 75.61% male and 24.39% female. Symptoms lasted a median of 0.5 months (range, 0.1-120 months), with cauda equina syndrome (45.7%) as the most common presenting symptom, followed by radiculopathy (34.3%) and lower back pain (21.1%). A history of heavy lifting was reported in 10.7% of patients. In terms of treatment, 5 patients (2.9%) were managed conservatively, while 162 (92.6%) underwent laminectomy. Additional interventions included minimally invasive interlaminar surgery (3 patients, 1.7%), transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (2 patients, 1.1%), interlaminar lumbar interbody fusion (1 patient, 0.6%), and endoscopic spine surgery (2 patients, 1.1%). Functional outcomes showed symptomatic improvement in 173 patients (98.9%), with one patient remaining stable and one experiencing worsening symptoms. Partial recovery occurred in 42 patients (24%), while 131 patients (74.9%) achieved total recovery. Our study highlights the rarity and diagnostic complexity of posterior epidural migration of disc fragments. Prompt and precise diagnosis is crucial to prevent further neurological decline. Surgical intervention to remove sequestered disc fragments has demonstrated excellent functional and clinical outcomes.

Imaging review of the atypical spinal epidural space pathologies

Pathologies affecting the spinal epidural space (SES) comprise various abnormalities. However, they all have the potential to cause thecal sac narrowing or spinal cord compression. In this review, we group these pathologies into degenerative, infective, neoplastic, vascular, traumatic, and others, focusing on their imaging features. Degenerative pathologies of the SES range from disc to facet disease, with a particular emphasis on the less common degenerative pathologies in this review. Infective pathologies affecting the epidural space include spondylodiscitis and associated epidural phlegmon and abscess. Neoplasms arising from typical SES components include neurofibroma, hemangioma, and liposarcoma. MRI is the best modality to assess the anatomy and abnormalities of the epidural space. MRI, combined with computed tomography, or a radiograph, is useful for the evaluation of bones or radiopaque foreign bodies.

Posterior epidural intervertebral disc migration and sequestration: A systematic review

Posterior epidural intervertebral disc migration and sequestration (PEIMS) is a rare and debilitating complication of degenerative disc disease. Radiological differential diagnosis is often challenging, complicating the accurate planning of appropriate treatment strategies. We systematically reviewed the literature on PEIMS, focusing on clinical-radiological features and available treatments. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane were searched to include studies reporting clinical data of patients with PEIMS. Clinical characteristics, treatment strategies, and functional outcomes were analyzed. We included 82 studies comprising 157 patients. Median age was 54 years (range, 19-91). PEIMSs occurred spontaneously (49.7%) or acutely in patients with underlying progressive degenerative disc disease (50.3%). The most common symptoms were lower-back pain (77.1%) and radiculopathy (66.2%), mainly involving the L5 nerve root (43.8%). PEIMSs were mostly detected at MRI (93%) and/or CT (7%), frequently located in the lumbar spine (81.5%). Median maximum PEIMS diameter was 2.4 cm (range, 1.2-5.0). Surgical debulking was completed in 150 patients (95.5%), sometimes coupled with decompressive laminectomy (65%) or hemilaminectomy (19.1%). Median follow-up time was 3 months (range, 0.5-36.0). Post-treatment symptomatic improvement was reported in 153 patients (97.5%), with total recovery in 118 (75.2%). All 7 patients (4.5%) who received conservative non-surgical management had total clinical recovery at ≤ 3 months follow-ups. PEIMS is a challenging entity that may severely quality-of-life in patients with degenerative disc disease. Surgical removal represents the gold standard to improve patient's functional status. Spine fusion and conservative strategies proved to be effective in some cases.

Posterior epidural disc fragment masquerading as spinal tumor: Review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Posterior epidural lumbar disc fragment is infrequent because of anatomical barriers, and it is difficult to diagnose posterior epidural lumbar disc fragment because of its rare incidence and the ambiguity of radiologic evaluations. And it is difficult to differentiate it from other diseases such as spinal tumors.

OBJECTIVE

Differential diagnosis of posterior epidural lumbar disc fragment is clinically important because its diagnosis can affect treatment and prognosis. To investigate the incidence, anatomical concern, etiology, symptom, diagnostic tool, management and prognosis of posterior epidural lumbar disc fragment, we reviewed articles including case report.

METHODS

We performed a search of all clinical studies of posterior epidural lumbar disc fragment published to date. The following keywords were searched: Posterior epidural lumbar disc fragment, disc migration, posterior epidural disc, extradural migration, dorsal epidural migration, sequestrated disc, and disc fragment.

RESULTS

We identified 40 patients of posterior epidural lumbar disc fragment from 28 studies. The most common presentation of posterior epidural lumbar disc fragment was sudden onset radiculopathy (70.0%), followed by cauda equina syndrome (27.5%). The most frequently used diagnostic modality was magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), conducted in 36 cases (90.0%), and followed by computed tomography in 14 cases (35.0%). After the imaging studies, the preoperative diagnoses were 45.0% masses, 20.0% lesions, and 12.5% tumors. Characteristic MRI findings in posterior epidural lumbar disc fragment are helpful for diagnosis; it typically displays low signals on T1-weighted images and high signals on T2-weighted images with respect to the parent disc. In addition, most of the disc fragments show peripheral rim enhancement on MRI with gadolinium administration. Electrodiagnostic testing is useful for verifying nerve damage. Surgical treatment was performed in all cases, and neurologic complications were observed in 12.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

As posterior epidural lumbar disc fragment could be masqueraded as spinal tumor, if rim enhancement is observed in MRI scans with sudden symptoms of radiculopathy or cauda equina syndrome, it should be taken into consideration. Early diagnosis can lead to early surgery, which can reduce complications.

Discography aids definitive diagnosis of posterior epidural migration of lumbar disc fragments: case report and literature review

Background

Posterior epidural migration of lumbar disc fragments (PEMLDF) is extremely rare. It is often confused with other posterior lesions and is usually diagnosed intraoperatively. We here describe the use of preoperative discography in the diagnosis of PEMLDF.

Case presentation

A 78-year-old man presented with acute low back pain, gait disturbance, and paresthesia in both legs. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a mass located posteriorly and laterally to the left aspect of the dural sac at the L3 level. The initial diagnosis indicated PEMLDF, malignancy, spontaneous hematoma, or epidural abscess. L3/4 discography clearly showed leakage of the contrast medium into the posterior dural space, indicating PEMLDF. The lesion was identified intraoperatively as a herniated-disc fragment, consistent with the preoperative discography.

Conclusion

PEMDLF is difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Discography is useful for the definitive diagnosis of PEMDLF prior to surgery.

Dorsal Lumbar Disc Migrations with Lateral and Ventral Epidural Extension on Axial MRI: A Case Series and Review of the Literature

Dorsal epidural migration of lumbar disc extrusion is rare and commonly misdiagnosed. Our purpose was to retrospectively analyze soft-tissue abnormalities on axial MR imaging in both the ventral and lateral epidural space in such dorsal epidural migrations. The presence of each component required complete concordance by 3 independent neuroradiologist readers. In a case series (n = 6) of surgically proved dorsal lumbar disc migrations, in which the radiologist's favored prospective diagnosis had not been correct, each case demonstrated epidural soft-tissue abnormality that had components both laterally and ventrally, abutting the parent disc. Similarly, in previously published cases for which axial MR imaging was available, the lateral component was demonstrated in 23/24 cases (96%). Ventral abutment of the parent disc was evident, in addition, in 17/18 cases (94%) with available disc-level axial images. Both ventral and lateral epidural soft-tissue abnormalities are typically present in dorsal lumbar disc herniations and may help radiologists suggest this rare diagnosis in appropriate cases.

Postdural disc herniation at L5/S1 level mimicking an extradural spinal tumor

INTRODUCTION

Postdural disc herniation has been documented rarely and the pathogenesis is still unknown. The average age of postdural disc herniations is between 50 and 60 years, and the sites most frequently affected by postdural lumbar disc herniations are L3-L4 and L4-L5, only less than 10 % in L5-S1. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a useful tool in the diagnosis of this disease, the postdural disc herniation is usually misdiagnosed as extradural spine tumor preoperatively. The definitive diagnosis is made during operation or according to the postoperative pathology.

METHODS

In this article, we described here a 48-year-old male patient who presented with intermittent pain in the low back and frequent urination for 4 years as well as hypesthesia and pain of the left lower extremity for 1 month.

RESULTS

A standard total laminectomy was performed and the histopathological diagnosis was consistent with a degenerated intervertebral disc. The patient presented significant relief of the pain and of the neurological symptoms, but no improvement of frequent urination, in the postoperative period.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnosis of postdural disc herniations is very difficult and mainly based on intraoperative and histopathological results. Early surgical intervention is important to relieve symptoms and prevent severe neurological deficits.