Horner Syndrome associated with a Herniated Cervical Disc: A Case Report
1Department of Neurosurgery, Dongsan Medical Center, College of Medicine, Keimyung University, Daegu, Korea.
Korean Journal of Spine
|May 19, 2015
Summary
Horner syndrome (HS) from a herniated cervical disc is rare. This case highlights a C4-5 disc herniation compressing the spinal cord, causing HS symptoms that improved after surgical removal.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Spinal Cord Medicine
Background:
- Horner syndrome (HS) results from disruption of the oculosympathetic pathway.
- Causes of HS are diverse, with cervical disc herniation being an infrequent etiology.
- Lesions affecting the first-order neuron of the cervical spinal cord leading to HS are exceptionally rare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report an extremely rare case of Horner syndrome caused by a herniated cervical disc.
- To illustrate the diagnostic and therapeutic approach for this uncommon presentation.
Main Methods:
- A 41-year-old male presented with acute left-sided ptosis, miosis, and facial anhidrosis.
- Neurological examination confirmed the signs of Horner syndrome.
- Cervical spine MRI and CT scans revealed a large left paramedian disc herniation at the C4-5 level with cord compression.
Main Results:
- Surgical decompression via an anterior approach successfully removed the herniated disc.
- Postoperative improvement in the patient's ptosis, miosis, and anhidrosis was observed.
Conclusions:
- Herniated cervical discs, particularly those compressing the spinal cord, can present as Horner syndrome.
- Surgical intervention is an effective treatment for HS secondary to cervical disc herniation.
- This case underscores the importance of considering spinal cord pathology in the differential diagnosis of Horner syndrome.
