A migrated lumbar disc herniation simulating a dumbbell tumor

• Published in: Journal of spinal disorders Vol. 12; no. 4; p. 307
• Main Authors: Saruhashi, Y, Omura, K, Miyamoto, K, Katsuura, A, Hukuda, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-08-1999
• Subjects: Adult; Diagnosis, Differential; Epidural Space; Female; Humans; Intervertebral Disc Displacement - complications; Intervertebral Disc Displacement - diagnosis; Intervertebral Disc Displacement - diagnostic imaging; Intervertebral Disc Displacement - surgery; Low Back Pain - etiology; Lumbar Vertebrae - diagnostic imaging; Lumbar Vertebrae - surgery; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Myelography; Nerve Compression Syndromes - etiology; Neurilemmoma - diagnosis; Sciatica - etiology; Spinal Neoplasms - diagnosis; Spinal Nerve Roots; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• ISSN: 0895-0385
• DOI: 10.1097/00002517-199908000-00006

We report a case of a migrated lumbar disc hemiation, which on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) simulated a dumbbell tumor in a 44-year-old woman who had severe pain in her right buttock and leg. A large epidural mass mimicking a dumbbell tumor was detected at the L5 vertebral level by MRI and computed tomography over myelography. Surgical fenestration of the L4/L5 interlaminar space revealed a dorsolateral epidural mass connected to the L5/S1 intervertebral disc extending laterally through the right L5/S1 intervertebral foramen. Histologically, it was degenerative disc material without active inflammation. Reevaluation of the MRI suggested some clues that might be useful in differentiating such a herniated disc from an epidural tumor.