Transdural herniation of the thoracic spinal cord: untethering via a posterolateral transpedicular approach. Report of three cases.

Anterior spinal cord herniation is a well-documented condition in which the thoracic cord becomes tethered within a defect in the anterior dura mater. Typical procedures have involved a posterior approach with direct manipulation of the thoracic cord to expose and blindly release its point of tethering. The authors report three cases in which a novel approach for the treatment of anterior thoracic cord herniation was performed, cord manipulation and traction are minimized, and direct dural repair of the defect is performed.