BACKGROUND: Posterior epidural migration is an interesting but rare path taken by a prolapsed intervertebral disc fragment. There are only seven cases reported of a similar migration of the disc fragment in the lumbar spine. PURPOSE: To diagnose the unusual presentation and interpretation of the sequestrated disc in the posterior epidural space. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. METHODS: Two cases of migration of the sequestrated disc into the posterior epidural space are presented. In one patient there was weakness of the ankle dorsiflexors, foot invertors, and toe extensors of the left foot, with sensory loss over the back of the calf and over the lateral three toes. The left ankle jerk was also absent. However, in the other case, there was no objective evidence of neurological deficit distally. RESULTS: Gadolinium magnetic resonance imaging scans showed ring enhancement preoperatively. Biopsy of the specimen taken from surgery confirmed it to be sequestrated disc fragment. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of posterior epidural migration of the sequestrated discs may be difficult. It may present with subtle clinical features even though the disc transgresses through numerous anatomic restraints including the nerve roots in such cases.
BACKGROUND: Posterior epidural migration is an interesting but rare path taken by a prolapsed intervertebral disc fragment. There are only seven cases reported of a similar migration of the disc fragment in the lumbar spine. PURPOSE: To diagnose the unusual presentation and interpretation of the sequestrated disc in the posterior epidural space. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. METHODS: Two cases of migration of the sequestrated disc into the posterior epidural space are presented. In one patient there was weakness of the ankle dorsiflexors, foot invertors, and toe extensors of the left foot, with sensory loss over the back of the calf and over the lateral three toes. The left ankle jerk was also absent. However, in the other case, there was no objective evidence of neurological deficit distally. RESULTS: Gadolinium magnetic resonance imaging scans showed ring enhancement preoperatively. Biopsy of the specimen taken from surgery confirmed it to be sequestrated disc fragment. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of posterior epidural migration of the sequestrated discs may be difficult. It may present with subtle clinical features even though the disc transgresses through numerous anatomic restraints including the nerve roots in such cases.
Authors: Antonio Montalvo Afonso; Olga Mateo Sierra; Oscar Lucas Gil de Sagredo Del Corral; Antonio José Vargas López; Lain Hermes González-Quarante; Emma Sola Vendrell; Julia Romero Martínez Journal: Spinal Cord Ser Cases Date: 2018-07-06