Asian Spine J.  2016 Apr;10(2):355-359. 10.4184/asj.2016.10.2.355.

Posterior Trans-Dural Repair of Iatrogenic Spinal Cord Herniation after Resection of Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

• Hyun SJ
• Kim HK
• Kim KJ
• Jahng TA
• Kim HJ

• KMID: 2169245
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4184/asj.2016.10.2.355

Abstract

Iatrogenic spinal cord herniation is a rare complication following spinal surgery. We introduce a posterior trans-dural repair technique used in a case of thoracic spinal cord herniation through a ventral dural defect following resection of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) in the cervicothoracic spine. A 51-year-old female was suffering from paraplegia after laminectomy alone for cervicothoracic OPLL. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a severely compressed spinal cord with pseudomeningocele identified postoperatively. Cerebrospinal fluid leak and iatrogenic spinal cord herniation persisted despite several operations with duroplasty and sealing agent. Finally, the problems were treated by repair of the ventral dural defect with posterior trans-dural duroplasty. Several months after surgery, the patient could walk independently. This surgical technique can be applied to treat ventral dural defect and spinal cord herniation.

Keyword

Iatrogenic spinal cord herniation; Duroplasty; Cervicothoracic junction; Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament

MeSH Terms

Cerebrospinal Fluid
Female
Humans
Laminectomy
Longitudinal Ligaments
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Middle Aged
Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament*
Paraplegia
Spinal Cord*
Spine