A challenging recurrent thoracic disc herniation

BACKGROUND: Thoracic disc herniations are rare and occur at the rate of 1/1,000,000/year. Surgical approach must be individually tailored to the size, location, and consistency of the herniated disc. Notably, here, we report the unusual recurrence of a thoracic herniated disc. CASE DESCRIPTION: In 2014, a 53-year-old female presented with thoracic back pain, and paraparesis, attributed to an magnetic resonance imaging/computed tomography (CT)-documented left paramedian T8–T9 calcific disc herniation. She underwent a left hemilaminectomy/costotrasversectomy following which she experienced complete regression of her symptoms. Notably, the postoperative radiological studies at that time demonstrated some residual although asymptomatic calcific disc herniation. Eight years later, she again presented, but now with the chief complaint of difficulty breathing. The new CT scan showed a new calcified herniated disc fragment superimposed on the previously documented residual disc. Through a posterolateral transfacet approach, she underwent resection of the disc complex. An intraoperative CT scan confirmed complete removal of the recurrent calcified disc herniation. Following the second surgery, the patient fully recovered and remains asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: A 53-year-old female first presented with a left-sided T8/T9 thoracic calcified disc herniation that was initially partially resected). When another larger fragment appeared 8 years later, superimposed on the previously documented residual disc, it was successfully removed through a posterolateral transfacet approach completed with CT guidance and neuronavigation.