Extending Spine Fusion Fixes Painful Disc Herniations Linked to Upper Back Curvature

Cases

A retrospective chart and radiographic review was performed of 3 patients presenting with neurological deficits secondary to soft thoracic disc herniation associated with proximal junctional kyphosis. The patients were treated with proximal extension of the construct, correction of the focal sagittal malalignment, and posterior decompressive laminectomy without excision of the herniated disc. All 3 patients made complete neurological recovery and subsequent magnetic resonance imaging showed resolution of the herniated discs.

Conclusions

Laminectomy in conjunction with proximal extension of the construct without formal thoracic discectomy was associated with complete neurological recovery and spontaneous resolution of soft thoracic disc herniations associated with junctional failures.