Remarkable improvement of neurological deficits after surgery in patients with Idiopathic spinal cord herniations. The impact of peroperative neuromonitoring. Case reports

INTRODUCTION: Chronic Idiopathic Spinal Cord Herniation (ISCH) is a very rare spinal cord deformation occurring predominantly in thoracic levels. ISCH lead to progressive myelopathy, spastic paraparesis and Brown Séquard syndrome. RESEARCH QUESTION: We want to hypothesize that a) the herniated segment can regain its function after untethering despite long-term and complete neurologic dysfunction. b) Intraoperative Electrophysiologic Monitoring (IOEPM) may identify intraoperative changes by monitoring specific neural pathways confirming the efficacy of the intervention in the forthcoming cases. MATERIAL & METHOD: It is a retrospective review of data of two cases prospectively collected showing improvement of neurological deficit in cases of ISCH in thoracic levels. We describe two patients with progressive neurological deficits due to ISCH who underwent surgery using electrophysiologic monitoring and have been followed to reach remarkable clinical improvement. RESULTS: The spastic paraparesis of the first case improved remarkably after surgery. Complete foot drop of the other case, persistent for 7 months before intervention, improved after the release of the herniated segment of the cord. Peroperative electrophysiological monitoring did not show changes during surgery. CONCLUSION: We want to hypothesize that the herniated segment can regain its function after untethering despite long-term and complete neurologic dysfunction. Intraoperative Electrophysiologic Monitoring (IOEPM) may confirm the efficacy of the intervention in the forthcoming cases.