L2/L3 Intradural Disk Herniation Mimicking Spinal Cord Tumor: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Severe Intradural Lumbar Disc Herniation with Cranially Oriented Free Fragment Migration

“…6,11 These factors may also result in erosion of the dura, predisposing it to perforation. 6,7,11 While our patient has a history of spinal fusion at inferior levels, he had no intraoperative evidence of epidural adhesions; however, his degenerative disc disease and the associated inflammatory and osteophytic changes likely resulted in dural thinning. Extruded disc material then perforated the dura following an episode of acutely increased intradiscal pressure secondary to severe coughing and valsalva.…”

“…5,6 On review of literature, we found only 10 previous reports of IDH at L2-3. 4,7,8 Moreover, only three other cases of IDH with cranial migration of disc material have been described at any spinal level. 6,9,10 In this report, we present an unusual case of an L2-3 intradural herniation with cranial migration of free fragments.…”

“…5,7 Regardless, they are still quite nonspecific with lower back/extremity pain, paresis, and bladder/sexual dysfunction representing the most common neurological sequelae. 4,7,8 Our…”

“…6,7,11 These adhesions are thought to arise congenitally, or may be acquired through previous surgeries, disc protrusion, chronic inflammation, or osteophytes. 6,11 These factors may also result in erosion of the dura, predisposing it to perforation.…”