A Rare Case of Anterior Transdural Thoracic Spinal Cord Herniation: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features

Idiopathic transdural thoracic spinal cord herniation is a rare cause of thoracic myelopathy. The cord herniates or prolapses through an anterior or anterolateral defect of the dura mater. Magnetic resonance imaging is the gold standard investigation for this condition as the imaging features are diagnostic. We report on a patient with thoracic myelopathy due to idiopathic transdural thoracic spinal cord herniation. Radiologists should be able to recognise this condition as increased awareness may result in early diagnosis. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of idiopathic transdural thoracic spinal cord herniation in Hong Kong.