Abstract
We experienced a case of idiopathic thoracic spinal cord herniation, which is a relatively rare condition caused by dropping of the spinal cord into a dura mater defect. Recently, with the development of imaging techniques, case reports of idiopathic spinal cord herniation have been increasing. The patient was 54-year-old woman, who suffered from anterior chest pain, back pain and sensory disturbance extending from the right abdomen to the right leg. We performed MRI and CT myelography, we found sharp deviation of the spinal cord to the ventral side at the Th4/5 level, with a double dura mater at the same level. The final diagnosis was spinal cord herniation. Some reports have suggested that the neurological symptoms of spinal cord herniation are progressive, and that natural recovery cannot be expected. Therefore we performed surgery to widen the dural defect. After surgery, the neurological symptoms were improved, and no recurrence was evident at the final follow-up examination.
