title: Intradural migration of a sequestrated lumbar disc fragment masquerading as a spinal intradural tumor.
abstract: Intervertebral intradural lumbar disc herniation (ILDH) is a quite rare pathology, and isolated intradural lumbar disc herniation is even more rare. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may not be able to reveal ILDHs, especially if MRI findings show an intact lumbar disc annulus and posterior longitudinal ligament. Here, we present an exceedingly rare case of an isolated IDLH that we initially misidentified as a spinal intradural tumor, in a 54-year-old man hospitalized with a 2-month history of back pain and right sciatica. Neurologic examination revealed a positive straight leg raise test on the right side, but he presented no other sensory, motor, or sphincter disturbances. A gadolinium-enhanced MRI revealed what we believed to be an intradural extramedullary tumor compressing the cauda equina leftward in the thecal sac, at the L2 vertebral level. The patient underwent total L2 laminectomy, and we extirpated the intradural mass under microscopic guidance. Histologic examination of the mass revealed a degenerated nucleus pulposus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, Institute for Medical Science, Chonbuk National University Medical School and Hospital, Jeonju, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyeong-Suk
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jong-Pil
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Eun
authors.forename: Jung-Soo
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Park
keywords: Intradural disc herniation; Magnetic resonance imaging; Spinal intradural tumor