Surgical Treatment of Thoracic Spinal Cord Herniation

Thoracic spinal cord herniation (TSCH) is an unusual condition characterized by central displacement of the spinal cord through a dural defect, resulting in neurological impairment due to compression and vascular compromise. Different surgical techniques have been described to treat symptomatic patients with TSCH such as closure of the defect by primary sutures after reducing the spinal cord, widening the dural defect to prevent cord strangulation, or reducing the spinal cord and using a dural patch. Through a case presentation of a 62-year-old woman with TSCH, we describe step-by-step, a surgical technique for repair by reducing the spinal cord and using a dural patch. In our experience surgical reduction of the hernia will frequently improve the patient's symptoms and signs even in patients with longstanding deficits. The final objective of this surgical technique is to prevent recurrent herniation and progressive deficit.