J Korean Soc Spine Surg.  2008 Sep;15(3):190-193. 10.4184/jkss.2008.15.3.190.

Paraparesis due to Posterior Migration of Ruptured Disc in the Adjacent Segment after Spinal Fusion: Unusual Junctional Problem

• Park YS
• Lee JH
• Kang CN
• Cho JL
• Park YW

• KMID: 1747203
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4184/jkss.2008.15.3.190

Abstract

Posterior epidural migration of sequestered lumbar disc fragments is an uncommon event. We present here an especially uncommon case involving a patient with paraparesis that was due to posterior migration of a ruptured disc in the adjacent segment after spinal fusion. The patient had a herniated lumbar disc in a diseased spinal junction with sequestered fragments that were located posterior to the thecal sac.

Keyword

Posterior migration; Ruptured disc; Spinal fusion; Paraparesis

MeSH Terms

Humans
Paraparesis
Spinal Fusion

Figure

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  Fig. 1. (A) Initial x-ray of the thoracolumbar spine shows junctional problem at L1-L2 level. (B) Preoperative thoracolumbar spine lateral view shows junctional problem. (C) Posterior epidural disc fragment is detected with mild enhancement on sagittal MR enhancement image (arrow) (D) Margin of posterior epidural disc fragment is seen with enhancement at the posterior to thecal sac of L1-2 intervertebral disc space on axial MR enhancement image (arrow)

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  Fig. 2. (A) Intraoperative photography shows 1.5×1.8×2.0 cm-sized posteriorly migrated extradural disc fragment. (B) Photomicrograph shows disc degeneration (HE stain ×100)

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