Intradural lumbar disc herniation after full-endoscopic lumbar discectomy using the interlaminar approach: case report

Introduction

Intradural lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is rare, with a reported incidence of 0.26%-0.30% of all cases of LDH^[1,2]. The first report of intradural LDH was presented by Dandy in 1942^[3]. Several etiopathologies of intradural LDH have been suggested, including adhesion between the ventral dura and posterior longitudinal ligament associated with congenital or chronic inflammation after previous surgery^[1,4], congenital reduction in dural thickness, and congenital stenosis of the vertebral canal^[5].

Full-endoscopic lumbar discectomy (FELD) is a minimally invasive technique for treating LDH. FELD has recently become widely used after being reported by Ruetten et al.^[6] in 2008. Three approaches are used with FELD to treat LDH: transforaminal, posterolateral, and interlaminar (IL). To date, there are no reports of intradural LDH in patients following FELD-IL. Herein, we describe a case of intradural LDH after FELD-IL and discuss the specific features of diagnostic imaging, its etiopathology, and the surgical findings.

Case report

A 67-year-old man complained of the sudden onset of disabling pain in his right leg. He was admitted to our hospital. He had undergone FELD-IL twice before for LDH at the L4/5 level, 2 years and 1 year ago, respectively. There was no injury to the dura matter during the previous operations. The straight leg raising test was positive at 60^° on the right side. Neurological examination demonstrated no paralysis and no sensory disturbance in his leg. There was no dysuria. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed LDH at the L4/5 level and a redundant cauda equina [Figure 1]. Intradural masses were also suspected at the L4 level. Computed tomography (CT) after myelography clearly showed an intradural mass from L4 to the sacral level [Figure 2]. It was suspected to be intradural disc herniation or a spinal tumor. Discography and CT discography showed leakage of contrast medium from the disc space to the subarachnoid space [Figures 3 and 4]. Based on these findings, we strongly suspected intradural LDH.

Figure 1. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging, T2-weighted sagittal image

Figure 2. Computed tomography after myelography, sagittal image. An intradural mass was observed from L4 to the sacral level

Figure 3. Discography at the L4/5 level. Contrast medium was not contained within the disc as it spread intrathecally with a myelographic appearance

Figure 4. Computed tomography after discography. A: sagittal image; B: axial image

Laminectomy from L4 to S1 was performed, exposing a bulging dural sac at the L4/5 level. Durotomy was performed at the midline, and the herniated disc was fragmented [Figure 5]. These fragments were carefully removed under a surgical microscope until the adhesion between the herniated disc and the cauda equina was disrupted and the defect in the dura mater apparent [Figure 6]. The ventral dura was strongly adherent to the L4/5 disc.

Figure 5. Intraoperative microscopic image reveals an intradural herniated mass

Figure 6. Intraoperative microscopic image reveals a defect in the ventral dura

The patient reported alleviation of his leg pain immediately after the surgery. Postoperative MRI showed complete removal of the intradural LDH.

Discussion

First reported in 2008 by Ruetten et al.^[6], FELD is a minimally invasive technique for treating LDH. Tamaki et al.^[7] later reported the occurrence of intradural LDH after FELD, but the transforaminal approach was used, and a ventral dural tear was observed during the operation. Our present report is the first documentation of intradural LDH after FELD-IL.

Although FELD is less invasive than previous procedures (e.g., micro-endoscopic or open surgery), adhesion between the dura mater and surrounding tissues may occur after FELD, as in the present case. The re-operation should be performed carefully even if the previous operation procedure was FELD. Matsumoto et al.^[8] reported that the pathophysiology of intradural LDH is typically attributed to adhesion between the annulus fibrosus, the posterior longitudinal ligament, and the dura mater after local inflammation or a prior operation. It is quite possible that intradural LDH could occur after FELD-IL even though FELD is less invasive and there was no dural tear.

Several radiological features of intradural LDH - rim enhancement of the herniated disc on gadolinium-enhanced MRI, beak-like appearance on T2-weighted images - have been reported previously. However, these radiological features are not conclusive for diagnosing intradural LDH. The most important diagnostic step is to demonstrate a hole between the intradural space and the disc space. A few reports have described discography for preoperative intradural LDH^[9,10]. Benyamin et al.^[9] reported a case of intradural LDH incidentally diagnosed during routine discography. In the present case, we performed discography to distinguish intradural LDH from other spinal pathologies, such as neurinoma and arachnoid cyst, among others.

In conclusion, preoperative diagnosis of intradural LDH is important for surgical planning. Physical examination for intradural LDH is similar to that for common LDH. Image findings, especially via discography, are important for establishing a definitive diagnosis of intradural LDH.