J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  1974 Jun;3(1):69-72.

Intrathecal Herniation of Lumbar Disc: Case Report

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

Rupture of the lumbar intervertebral disc into the dural sac is very rare. Total of 11 cases have been reported in the literatures. In Korea, one case of the intradural herniated disc of L4,5 interspace was reported at Seoul National University Hospital in 1972. Patients of the intradural herniated disc have usually a long history of recurrent low back pain and sudden exacerbation of symptoms with radiating pain on both lower extremities precipitated by minor trauma. A 47 years old female was admitted to Seoul National University Hospital complaining of wevere low back pain and radiating gluteal pain on both sides. She had had intermittent lumbago of 25 years' duration. Eight months prior to admission, radiating gluteal pain on both sides developed in addition to the aggravation of the lumbago due to minor back trauma. Physical and neurological examination showed local protrusion and the tenderness of the L3, L4 spinous process area, the hyperalgesia on the right L3, L4, and L5 dermatomes, no saddle anesthesia, normal dorsiflexion of both ankles and great toes, slight decrease of the right knee jerk and bilateral absence of the ankle jerk, and no sphincter dysfunction. Myelogram showed complete block at t he L3-4 interspace level. Total laminectomy of the L3 and L4 was done. When the dura was opened, a solid round mass of a thumb-tip size was seen occupying the whole dural sac, compressing the nerve roots. The mass was a herniated disc from L3-4 interspace that had ruptured through central part of the posterior longitudinal ligament and ventral dural wall. Protruded intradural mass was removed en masse after incision of the overlying arachnoid membrance and the remaining L3-4 interspace disc material was removed in pieces extradurally. The mass was revealed as a degenerated nucleus pulposus on microscopic examination. The patient had an uneventful recovery with improvement of the neurological deficits.


MeSH Terms

Anesthesia
Ankle
Arachnoid
Female
Humans
Hyperalgesia
Intervertebral Disc
Intervertebral Disc Displacement
Knee
Korea
Laminectomy
Longitudinal Ligaments
Low Back Pain
Lower Extremity
Middle Aged
Neurologic Examination
Rupture
Seoul
Toes
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