Unveiling the Current Understanding of Idiopathic Spinal Cord Herniation: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background Idiopathic spinal cord herniation (ISCH) is a rare condition that is characterized by ventral herniation of the spinal cord through a defect in the dura mater into the epidural space, with no identifiable cause. ISCH is frequently underdiagnosed, and the information available in case reports is limited. To provide an overview of the clinical manifestations and diagnosis of this condition, this study aims to conduct a review of reported cases of ISCH. Methods A literature review was carried out using seven databases. The search was conducted using the keywords “Idiopathic spinal cord herniation” OR “Idiopathic Ventral Spinal Cord Herniation” AND “Case report” OR “case series.” Results A total of 92 relevant papers reporting 224 cases, besides the index case, were determined. Of the cases, 58.5% were females and the mean age was 50.7 (SD 13.2) years. Symptoms, diagnoses, and outcomes were similar between genders. The most common clinical signs included motor symptoms (82.6%), instability (61.3%), hypoesthesia (59.2%), and disturbance of thermal sensitivity (47.3%). Brown-Séquard syndrome was observed in 27.2% of the cases, and surgical treatment was employed in 89.7% of the cases. Conclusions ISCH is a pathology that is principally treated with surgical approach. This study provides valuable insights into the clinical manifestations and diagnosis of ISCH, which can aid in the early recognition and treatment of this rare condition.