Full-endoscopic interlaminar discectomy for the treatment of a dorsal migrated thoracic disc herniation: Case report

RATIONALE: Thoracic disc herniation (TDH) is an infrequent spinal disease and difficult to treat well. Various surgical approaches and procedures were introduced in many literatures. The authors report a patient with dorsal migrated TDH compressing the spinal cord at T10-11 level. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 65-year-old male patient presented with complaints of severe paresthesia of both legs and progressive motor weakness for 1 week. DIAGNOSES: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the thoracic and lumbar spine revealed TDH and migration of dorsal side on spinal cord at T10-11 level. INTERVENTIONS: Successful decompressive surgery was performed through a posterior interlaminar approach using only endoscopic instruments. OUTCOMES: After the operation, patient's symptoms, paraparesis and paresthesia, immediately improved. LESSONS: The successful results of this case suggest that full endoscopic laminotomy and discectomy may be an attractive minimally invasive surgical technique for treating TDH with dorsal migrated fragments.