title: [Epidural posterior migration of disc fragment].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The posterior epidural migration of a fragment of lumbar disc herniation is a rare clinical presentation.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the case of a 76-year-old with back pain and progressive paraparesis in the lower limbs, with the emergence of a cauda equina syndrome 4 days after admission. MRI showed lumbar spondylosis and a well-defined intra-spinal mass in the posterior epidural space. Surgical resection of the epidural mass was performed. The pathological study revealed an intervertebral disc fragment; thus it was a complete migration of a herniated lumbar disc. The patient was healed after surgery and specific rehabilitation treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with posterior migration of disc fragment may present with severe neurological deficits, such as cauda equina syndrome. Because the radiological images of disc fragments are similar to those of other lesions, such as metastasis, synovial cyst, dural abscess or haematoma, definitive diagnosis is made by excision and pathological study. Emergency surgery is required to prevent severe neurological deficits.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología, Hospital Universitario Arnau de Vilanova, Lleida, España.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jové Talavera
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Altemir Martínez
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chárlez Marco
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mas Atance
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Curiá Jové
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aguas Valiente
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004824:Epidural Space; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male