Full-endoscopic interlaminar discectomy for the treatment of a dorsal migrated thoracic disc herniation: Case report.

RATIONALE

Thoracic disc herniation (TDH) is an infrequent spinal disease and difficult to treat well. Various surgical approaches and procedures were introduced in many literatures. The authors report a patient with dorsal migrated TDH compressing the spinal cord at T10-11 level.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 65-year-old male patient presented with complaints of severe paresthesia of both legs and progressive motor weakness for 1 week.

DIAGNOSES

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the thoracic and lumbar spine revealed TDH and migration of dorsal side on spinal cord at T10-11 level.

INTERVENTIONS

Successful decompressive surgery was performed through a posterior interlaminar approach using only endoscopic instruments.

OUTCOMES

After the operation, patient's symptoms, paraparesis and paresthesia, immediately improved.

LESSONS

The successful results of this case suggest that full endoscopic laminotomy and discectomy may be an attractive minimally invasive surgical technique for treating TDH with dorsal migrated fragments.