Intradural intraradicular disc herniation in the lumbar spine: apropos of a new case

Abstract

Intradural intraradicular disc herniations are rare, comprising only 0.1% to 1.1% of the cases of all lumbar disc herniations [1,2]. Magnetic resonance imaging may not be able to identify this entity. A 52-year-old man presented to our clinic with clinical and electromyographic evidence of a right L5 radiculopathy. A magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated what was felt to be an extruded disc fragment compressing the dural sac posterolaterally at the L4–L5 level (Fig. 1). An L4 partial laminectomy and foraminotomy was performed, but there was no extrusion.