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Dorsal thoracic spinal cord herniation: report of an unusual case and review of the literature.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Le, TC; Grunch, BH; Karikari, IO; Mehta, AI; Owens, TR; Gottfried, ON; Bagley, CA
Published in: Spine J
October 2012

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Spinal cord herniation is a rare but well-documented condition that has been associated with tethering through the dural defect. Both spinal cord herniation and cord tethering result in progressive myelopathy that can be improved or stabilized with surgical intervention. Most cases of herniation are caused by dural defects in the ventral or ventrolateral thoracic spine, rarely occurring through the dorsal dura. This is the first reported case of a spontaneous dorsal herniation. PURPOSE: To describe a unique case of thoracic tethered cord resulting from a dorsal dural defect through which there is spinal cord herniation. STUDY DESIGN: A case report and review of the literature. METHODS: A 55-year-old man presented with progressive low back pain, paresthesias, and weakness in his left lower extremity that was exacerbated by walking. Imaging revealed a dorsal dural defect with tethering and herniation of the spinal cord at T7. RESULTS: The patient underwent a T6-T7 laminoplasty to release the tethered cord and repair the dural defect. At 1-year follow-up, the patient noted improvement in strength and back spasticity. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal cord herniation through a dural defect is an uncommon but important cause of symptomatic tethered cord in adults. Surgical intervention can significantly alter the course and prevent further disability.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Spine J

DOI

EISSN

1878-1632

Publication Date

October 2012

Volume

12

Issue

10

Start / End Page

e9 / 12

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Treatment Outcome
  • Thoracic Vertebrae
  • Spinal Cord Diseases
  • Spinal Cord
  • Orthopedics
  • Middle Aged
  • Meningocele
  • Male
  • Low Back Pain
  • Laminectomy
 

Citation

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ICMJE
MLA
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Le, T. C., Grunch, B. H., Karikari, I. O., Mehta, A. I., Owens, T. R., Gottfried, O. N., & Bagley, C. A. (2012). Dorsal thoracic spinal cord herniation: report of an unusual case and review of the literature. Spine J, 12(10), e9-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spinee.2012.09.039
Le, Tri C., Betsy H. Grunch, Isaac O. Karikari, Ankit I. Mehta, Timothy R. Owens, Oren N. Gottfried, and Carlos A. Bagley. “Dorsal thoracic spinal cord herniation: report of an unusual case and review of the literature.Spine J 12, no. 10 (October 2012): e9-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spinee.2012.09.039.
Le TC, Grunch BH, Karikari IO, Mehta AI, Owens TR, Gottfried ON, et al. Dorsal thoracic spinal cord herniation: report of an unusual case and review of the literature. Spine J. 2012 Oct;12(10):e9-12.
Le, Tri C., et al. “Dorsal thoracic spinal cord herniation: report of an unusual case and review of the literature.Spine J, vol. 12, no. 10, Oct. 2012, pp. e9-12. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2012.09.039.
Le TC, Grunch BH, Karikari IO, Mehta AI, Owens TR, Gottfried ON, Bagley CA. Dorsal thoracic spinal cord herniation: report of an unusual case and review of the literature. Spine J. 2012 Oct;12(10):e9-12.
Journal cover image

Published In

Spine J

DOI

EISSN

1878-1632

Publication Date

October 2012

Volume

12

Issue

10

Start / End Page

e9 / 12

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Treatment Outcome
  • Thoracic Vertebrae
  • Spinal Cord Diseases
  • Spinal Cord
  • Orthopedics
  • Middle Aged
  • Meningocele
  • Male
  • Low Back Pain
  • Laminectomy