Thoracic anterior spinal cord herniation: treatment and prognosis outcome of 15 patients and review of the literature

Background: This study aimed to investigate the treatment and curative effects of thoracic anterior spinal cord herniation. Methods: Clinical data of 15 patients with thoracic anterior spinal cord herniation were retrospectively analysed. All patients were diagnosed with a complete pre-operative examination and scheduled for surgical treatment. In addition, regular follow-up was performed after the surgery, and the operation’s efficacy was evaluated according to clinical symptoms, imaging findings, and improvement in neurological function. Results: All 15 patients underwent spinal cord release with an anterior dural patch. Notably, no severe post-operative surgical complications were observed. All patients were followed up for 3–108 months, with an average duration of approximately 52.9 months. Post-operative pain symptoms were effectively controlled, neurological dysfunction and related symptoms improved to varying degrees, and anterior spinal cord herniation did not recur. The modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association score at the last follow-up was significantly higher than the pre-operative score. Conclusions: Clinicians should avoid misdiagnosing patients with thoracic anterior spinal cord herniation with intervertebral disc herniation, arachnoid cysts, and other related diseases, and patients should undergo surgical treatment as early as possible. In addition, surgical treatment can protect the neurological function of patients and effectively prevent the aggravation of clinical symptoms.