Unexpected Cervical Cord Injury During Intradiscal Electrothermal Therapy for Disc Herniation

Intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) is a procedure that uses heat to treat chronic discogenic pain. It aims to modify collagen and destroy pain-conducting nerve endings. A 36-year-old woman developed left-sided hemiparesis after undergoing IDET for a cervical disc herniation. This means she experienced weakness on the left side of her body. After surgery, the patient's neurological condition improved, although some sensory deficits persisted. This case emphasizes the importance of careful patient selection and technique to avoid severe complications.

• 1
  The patient experienced left-sided hemiparesis after IDET, indicating neurological damage. MRI confirmed cervical cord edema.
• 2
  Intraoperative findings during ACDF revealed a dural defect with a burn mark on the left ventral side of the cervical cord, confirming thermal injury.
• 3
  Postoperative recovery led to significant neurological improvement, although some sensory deficits remained, indicating incomplete recovery from the initial injury.