Acute traumatic sequestrated thoracic disc herniation: A case report and review

Abstract

Background: Pure sequestrated thoracic disc herniations secondary to a traumatic event are rare.

Case description: Elderly male presented with the sudden onset of severe paraparesis following a fall. The MR showed a left-sided extruded disc at the T10-T11. The patient underwent a thoracic interlaminar laminectomy, removal of one large, and several smaller sequestrated disc fragments utilizing a transfacet corridor requiring placement of an interbody Peek cage, and bilateral T10 and T11 pedicle screw instrumentation. At 6 postoperative months, he sustained a good recovery.

Conclusion: Acute thoracic disc herniations without attendant fracture/dislocation are rare. When they result in major neurological deficits, timely surgical excision is warranted.

Keywords: Outcome; Thoracic disc; Thoracic spine; Transfacet pedicle sparing route; Transthoracic approach; Traumatic thoracic disc herniation.