Vijayawada, July 12 :Manipal Hospitals, Vijayawada, has successfully treated a 46-year-old woman G Naga Lakshmi with Idiopathic Spinal Cord Herniation (ISCH).
The woman had a history of Middle and Low Backache (LBA) for 4 years, with progressive weakness of both lower limbs.
During the last four months, she experienced left foot weakness and right leg paresthesia. In the end, the patient approached Dr. Sudheer Kumar Gundamaneni, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Manipal Hospitals, Vijayawada.
Dr. Ch. Murali, Consultant Neurologist on Tuesday said, “Idiopathic spinal cord herniation is a very rare condition which occurs when there is the ventral displacement of the spinal cord through a dural defect. The etiology of the condition is unknown. The rarity and unknown origin of the condition makes it difficult to diagnose.
The woman came in with pain in her middle and lower back, along with lower limb weakness. She was unable to perform her daily activities and gradually became chair bound.”
Dr. M. Satish Babu, Consultant – Interventional Radiologist, said “This rare condition primarily affects the thoracic spinal cord.
Hence she underwent an MRI of the spine which showed that a part of the spinal cord between the D2 to D5 vertebra (mid spine) was prolapsing out of a defect in the dura mater (covering of the brain and spinal cord) and had thinned out indicating an ongoing damage to the spinal cord.
The spinal cord would eventually get damaged as it is protruding outside the canal. Unattended, she would develop weakness in both her legs,” Dr Babu said.
Speaking on the case, Dr. Sudheer Kumar Gundamaneni, Consultant Neurosurgeon, said, “Globally, only 190 to 200 cases of ISCH have been published so far.
Since it is such a rare condition there is no set surgical technique described to treat the condition. The surgery had to be individualised based on her MRI findings and the goal was to reposition the cord to its normal site.
After the surgery she underwent rehabilitation and physiotherapy to regain her lost motor functions.
Today, she is able to walk without support and perform her day-to-day activities on her own. Had she delayed further she would have gradually lost function in both legs”, he added.
Dr. Sudhakar Kantipudi, Hospital Director, Manipal Hospitals, said, “We endeavour to provide advanced medical facilities to our community.
It is very crucial to evaluate and treat every patient with the latest clinical skills expertise. Our comprehensive neuro and spine critical care unit will only strengthen the medical service deliverables in the region, he added.(UNI)