Rapid Repeated Recurrent Lumbar Disc Herniation after Microscopic Discectomies.

Lee,  Dosung; Eom,  Ki Seong

doi:2011.8.2.129

Case Report

Korean J Spine 2011;8(2): 129-132.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14245/kjs.2011.8.2.129

Rapid Repeated Recurrent Lumbar Disc Herniation after Microscopic Discectomies.

Dosung Lee, Ki Seong Eom

Department of Neurosurgery, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Korea. kseom@wonkwang.ac.kr

Abstract

The recurrence of lumbar disc herniation after single-level discectomy is a well-known complication. Pain and neurological symptoms during the first week after surgery can be caused by missed pathology or early recurrent disc herniation. However, recurrent disc herniation that causes segmental instability after repeat operation is rare. Here, we report a case of a 42-year-old woman having a rare complication of rapid recurrent lumbar disc herniation after 2 microscopic discectomies within a short period. We suggest that rapid disc fragmentation and rapid growth of annular defect caused rapid repeated recurrence of lumbar disc herniation and segmental instability. Further investigation will be needed to identify the cause of this rapid disc degeneration.

Keywords: Recurrent lumbar disc herniation;Instability;Annular laxity