Skip to main content
Log in

Cauda equina syndrome secondary to posterior epidural migration of a lumbar disc fragment: a rare phenomenon

  • Case Report
  • Published:
European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Most symptomatic lumbar disc herniations occur in a postero-lateral direction. Disc fragments also commonly migrate both caudally and rostrally. The extrusion of lumbar discs is usually limited by the posterior longitudinal ligament and its attachments. Migration of disc tissue around the dural sac to the posterior epidural space is a rare occurrence. There have been even fewer reports, in the published literature, of cauda equina syndrome resulting from posterior epidural migration of lumbar disc fragments. We present a case of cauda equina syndrome due to compression of the neural elements by a large fragment of sequestered lumbar disc tissue, which had migrated to the posterior epidural space.

Résumé

La plupart des hernies discales lombaires sont postéro-latérales. Les fragments discaux migrent habituellement soit vers la bas, caudalement, soit vers le haut. L’extériorisation des hernies est limité classiquement par les attaches du ligament vertébral commun postérieur. En fait la migration de fragments discaux autour du sac épidural est plutôt rare. C’est pourquoi il y a peu de publications de syndrome de la queue de cheval par des migrations en arrière vers le sac épidural. Nous décrivons un tel cas.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Ahn UM, Ahn NU, Buchowski JM, Garrett ES, Sieber AN, Kostuik JP (2000) Cauda equina syndrome secondary to lumbar disc herniation: a meta-analysis of surgical outcomes. Spine 25(12):1515–1522

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Bonaroti EA, Welch WC (1998) Posterior epidural migration of an extruded lumbar disc fragment causing cauda equina syndrome. Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging evaluation. Spine 23(3):378–381

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Dosoglu M, Is M, Gezen F, Ziyal MI (2001) Posterior epidural migration of a lumbar disc fragment causing cauda equina syndrome: case report and review of the relevant literature. Eur Spine J 10(4):348–351

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Kostuik JP, Harrington I, Alexander D, Rand W, Evans D (1986) Cauda equina syndrome and lumbar disc herniation. J Bone Joint Surg Am 68(3):386–391

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Kuzeyli K, Cakir E, Usul H, Baykal S, Yazar U, Karaarslan G, Arslan E, Peksoylu B (2003) Posterior epidural migration of lumbar disc fragments: Report of three cases. Spine 28(3):E64-E67

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Mixter WJ, Barr JS (1934) Rupture of the intervertebral disc with involvement of the spinal cord. N Engl J Med 211:210–215

    Google Scholar 

  7. Neugroschl C, Kehrli P, Gigaud M, Ragragui O, Maitrot D, Manelfe C, Dietemann JL (1999) Posterior extradural migration of extruded thoracic and lumbar disc fragments: role of MRI. Neuroradiology 41(9):630–635

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Robe P, Martin D, Lenelle J, Stevenaert A (1999) Posterior epidural migration of sequestered lumbar disc fragments. Report of two cases. J Neurosurg [Suppl 4] 90:264–266

    Google Scholar 

  9. Schellinger D, Manz HJ, Vidic B, Patronas NJ, Deveikis JP, Muraki AS, Abdullah DC (1990) Disk fragment migration. Radiology 175(3):831–836

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Sekerci Z, Ildan F, Yuksel M, Gul B, Kilic C (1992) Cauda equina compression due to posterior epidural migration of extruded lumbar disk. Neurosurg Rev 15(4):311–313

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alan J. Walsh.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Walsh, A.J., Martin, Z. & McCormack, D. Cauda equina syndrome secondary to posterior epidural migration of a lumbar disc fragment: a rare phenomenon. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 14, 30–31 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-003-0124-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-003-0124-z

Keywords

Mots clés

Navigation