Dorsal lumbar disc migrations with lateral and ventral epidural extension on axial MRI: A case series and review of the literature

M. M. Zarrabian, F. E. Diehn, A. L. Kotsenas, J. T. Wald, E. Yu, A. Nassr

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Dorsal epidural migration of lumbar disc extrusion is rare and commonly misdiagnosed. Our purpose was to retrospectively analyze soft-Tissue abnormalities on axial MR imaging in both the ventral and lateral epidural space in such dorsal epidural migrations. The presence of each component required complete concordance by 3 independent neuroradiologist readers. In a case series (n = 6) of surgically proved dorsal lumbar disc migrations, in which the radiologist's favored prospective diagnosis had not been correct, each case demonstrated epidural soft-Tissue abnormality that had components both laterally and ventrally, abutting the parent disc. Similarly, in previously published cases for which axialMRimaging was available, the lateral component was demonstrated in 23/24 cases (96%). Ventral abutment of the parent disc was evident, in addition, in 17/18 cases (94%) with available disc-level axial images. Both ventral and lateral epidural soft-Tissue abnormalities are typically present in dorsal lumbar disc herniations and may help radiologists suggest this rare diagnosis in appropriate cases.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2171-2177
Number of pages7
JournalAmerican Journal of Neuroradiology
Volume37
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2016

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Clinical Neurology

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