A Rare Case of Anterior Transdural Thoracic Spinal Cord Herniation: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features

Abstract

Idiopathic transdural thoracic spinal cord herniation is a rare cause of thoracic myelopathy. The cord herniates or prolapses through an anterior or anterolateral defect of the dura mater. Magnetic resonance imaging is the gold standard investigation for this condition as the imaging features are diagnostic. We report on a patient with thoracic myelopathy due to idiopathic transdural thoracic spinal cord herniation. Radiologists should be able to recognise this condition as increased awareness may result in early diagnosis. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of idiopathic transdural thoracic spinal cord herniation in Hong Kong.

Alternate abstract:

特發性經硬脊膜胸段脊髓疝是一種胸脊髓病變的罕見病因。脊髓通過前方或前外側的硬腦膜缺損疝出或脫垂。由於此症的影像特徵具診斷意義，磁共振成像是黃金標準檢查。本文報告一宗特發性經硬脊膜胸段脊髓疝為誘因的胸脊髓病變。放射科醫生應能識別該徵象，增強意識可獲早期診斷。據筆者所知，這是香港特發性經硬脊膜胸段脊髓疝的首例報告。