Understanding Idiopathic Spinal Cord Herniation – A Comprehensive Review of Imaging and Literature

INTRODUCTION

Idiopathic spinal cord herniation (ISCH) is an uncommonly recognized cause of non-compressive myelopathy in which the spinal cord herniates through a small anterior or lateral dural defect.^[1] There is no associated history of trauma or surgery. Timely recognition is warranted to prevent permanent neurological deficits. Increased awareness of this clinical condition may result in a timely diagnosis and prompt treatment. In this review, we discuss clinical and an imaging characteristic of this rare pathology followed by a comprehensive review of literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical and imaging data of three patients with ISCH were analyzed.

CASES

Case 1

A 67-year-old female presented with complains slowly progressing bilateral leg weakness with associated chronic low back pain. There was no bowel or bladder involvement. On examination, motor and sensory exams were normal. Lab work was unremarkable. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed which demonstrated anterior displacement of the spinal cord with an associated kink at T6 level with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pulsation artifacts in the posterior subarachnoid space [Figure 1]. High-resolution thin slice T2-weighted imaging demonstrated subtle small focus of herniated cord through the dural defect [Figure 1]. The findings favored spinal cord herniation instead of a posterior arachnoid cyst. To confirm the findings, a CT myelogram was performed which showed anterior cord kink at T6 with complete opacification of CSF posterior to the kinked and anteriorly displaced spinal cord confirming spinal cord herniation and excluding arachnoid cyst [Figure 2].

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Figure 1

A 67-year-old female who presented with complains slowly progressing bilateral leg weakness with associated chronic low back pain. (a) Sagittal and (b) Axial T2-weighted image of the thoracic spine demonstrating anterior displacement of the spinal cord with an associated kink at T6 level (Yellow arrows) with CSF pulsation artifacts in the posterior subarachnoid space (White arrows). (c) High-resolution thin slice T2-weighted image demonstrates a subtle small focus of herniated cord through the dural defect (Red arrow). The findings favor spinal cord herniation instead of a posterior arachnoid cyst.

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Figure 2

A 67-year-old female who presented with complains slowly progressing bilateral leg weakness with associated chronic low back pain. (a) Sagittal and (b) Axial CT Myelogram images of the thoracic spine demonstrating anterior cord kink at T6 (Yellow arrow) with complete opacification of CSF posterior to the anteriorly displaced spinal cord (Red arrow).

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Case 2

A 76-year-old female presented with progressive onset difficulty in walking, leg weakness, and gait ataxia. On clinical exam, she had a sensory level T9 and T8-9 myelopathy was suspected. Lab parameters were within normal limits. There was no history of trauma. MRI thoracic spine demonstrated acute ventral kink in the thoracic spinal cord at T2-3 level [Figure 3].

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Figure 3

A 76-year-old female who presented with progressive onset difficulty in walking, leg weakness, and gait ataxia. (a) Sagittal T2-weighted and (b) Axial T2 gradient images of the thoracic spine demonstrating anterior cord kink at T2-3 level representing anterior spinal cord herniation (Yellow arrow).

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Case 3

A 52-year-old female presented with progressive onset lower extremity weakness and gait abnormalities. Neurological exam was within normal limits. Lab parameters were unremarkable. She denied a history of trauma. MRI thoracic spine demonstrated acute ventral kink in the thoracic spinal cord at T4-5 level [Figure 4 a-c].

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Figure 4

A 76-year-old female who presented with progressive onset difficulty in walking, leg weakness, and gait ataxia. (a) Sagittal and (b) Axial T2-weighted images of the thoracic spine demonstrating anterior cord displacement (“C” shaped kink) of the spinal cord with an associated kink at T4-5 level representing anterior spinal cord herniation (Yellow arrows). Posterior to the kink, CSF pulsation artifacts are seen in the posterior subarachnoid space (White arrows). (c) Sagittal T2-weighted image of the thoracic spine demonstrating a focal swelling with small intramedullary T2 hyperintensity is seen in the spinal cord just proximal to the kink representing a focal syrinx (Red arrow).

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DISCUSSION

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

ISCH presents in 22–71 years of age^[6] with female predominance (M/F ratio of 3:2).^[7] Most common clinical presentation is Brown-Séquard syndrome, in greater than half of the reported cases.^[8] Other major early manifestations may include numbness and decreased temperature sensation in the legs, gait disturbances, pain, and incontinence.^[3,8]

IMAGING

MRI is the imaging modality of choice for diagnosing ISCH. Usually, there is a single dural defect; however, there have been reports of two defects.^[9]

An abrupt anterior kink may be seen, called the “Scalpel Sign” [Figure 3 in our series] or there may be a gradual C- or S-shaped kink [Figure 4 in our series].^[1,10] The herniated part of the cord might appear as a small mass with a signal [Figure 1 in our series] or density similar to cord best seen on high-resolution MRI or CT myelography.^[1,11] Occasionally, abnormal cord signal abnormality may be seen representing syrinx formation [Figure 4 in our series] or myelomalacia of the spinal cord.^[12] Scalloping of the posterior vertebral body may also be noticed.^[12] The end plate irregularity and/or sclerosis or herniated disc calcification called “Nuclear trail Sign” can be seen sometimes on CT scan.^[13]

The visualization of nerve roots traversing the dorsal subarachnoid space at the level of the cord deformity helps to differentiate SCH from other pathologies posterior to cord displacing it anteriorly such as a subarachnoid cyst or epidermal cyst which instead displaces the nerve roots peripherally.^[1] This is best appreciated on high-resolution T2-weighted images such as constructive interface in steady state or sampling perfection with application-optimized contrasts using different flip angle evolution.^[14,15] When the findings on MRI are equivocal, a CT myelography should be performed. It shows free migration of contrast through the dural defect at the level of the herniated segment or may show the widened dorsal subarachnoid space.^[12,16-18] The phase contrast pulse cine MRI demonstrates normal pulsatile CSF flow in subarachnoid space posterior to herniated cord in ISCH differentiating it from posteriorly positioned intradural arachnoid cyst.^[17]

A classification system for ISCH has been reported based on the severity of herniation which helps in pre-operative planning and also in prognosticating patients.^[11,19]

1. Type K: Kink toward the ventral region.

2. Type D: Cord disappears at the herniated site.

3. Type P: Protrusion of the cord in a way that the ventral subarachnoid space is effaced with very little posterior kink.

4. Type C: When the hiatus is central.

5. Type L: Hiatus is lateral.

The Type P has good post-operative recovery. Type C hiatus with bone defect have severe pre-operative symptoms and poor post-operative outcomes.^[11]

MANAGEMENT

The treatment of ISCH includes conservative management or surgery depending on the clinical presentation. Surgery is recommended with severe neurological symptoms or progressive worsening with the aim to reduce the herniated cord and prevent its recurrence.^[20,21] Surgery is laminectomy with intradural adhesiolysis and arachnoid band resection with verification of flow of CSF from cranial and dorsal ends of dural opening followed by closure of dural defect with fat or dural patch or widening of the dural defect.^[15] Surveillance is recommended for either form of treatment.^[22]

CONCLUSION

ISCH is a rare clinical entity with a displacement of the spinal cord through a dural or arachnoidal defect. Early recognition of this abnormality is necessary to prevent permanent neurological deficits. An important imaging finding is anterior displacement of the cord with a kink, without associated mass lesion.