Symptomatic cervical disc herniation in teenagers: two case reports
Toshiki Abe1, Naohisa Miyakoshi, Michio Hongo
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Akita Kumiai General Hospital, 1-1-1 Iijima-Nishifukuro, Akita, 011-0948, Japan. toshikiabe@jupiter.ocn.ne.jp.
Journal of Medical Case Reports
|February 14, 2013
Summary
Symptomatic cervical disc herniation is rare in individuals under 20. This study shows favorable outcomes with conventional treatments for this rare condition in adolescents.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedics
- Spinal Medicine
Background:
- Cervical disc herniation before age 20 is exceptionally rare.
- Previous cases in this age group often involved underlying conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report on two cases of symptomatic cervical disc herniation in patients under 20.
- To highlight that this condition can occur without trauma or underlying disease.
Main Methods:
- Case 1: A 19-year-old male with C5 radiculopathy due to C4-C5 disc herniation treated with microsurgical posterior foraminotomy.
- Case 2: A 15-year-old male with C4-C5 disc herniation treated conservatively with observation.
Main Results:
- Both patients experienced complete recovery within eight weeks post-treatment.
- Case 1 achieved full recovery after surgery.
- Case 2 achieved full recovery with conservative management.
Conclusions:
- Symptomatic cervical disc herniation can occur in individuals under 20 without predisposing factors.
- Conventional treatments, including surgery and conservative management, lead to favorable outcomes.
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