Acute neurological deficit following lumbar microdiscectomy: a multiple sclerosis relapse mimicking a surgical complication - a case report and literature review.
case_report · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 42098494.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1007/s00586-026-09984-0 and PMC identifier 12562264.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Acute neurological deficits following lumbar microdiscectomy are most commonly attributed to surgical complications. In this study, we present a case of multiple sclerosis (MS) relapse mimicking a postoperative surgical complication. CASE: A 42-year-old female developed acute left lower extremity plegia in the early postoperative period following L4-5 microdiscectomy. Imaging studies and surgical re-exploration revealed no evidence of a compressive pathology. During clinical follow-up, neurological involvement progressed to the upper extremity. Detailed medical history revealed a prior diagnosis of MS and discontinuation of disease-modifying therapy. Due to contraindication to corticosteroid therapy, therapeutic plasma exchange was initiated, resulting in complete neurological recovery within 48 h. CONCLUSION: In the presence of negative imaging findings and anatomical incongruity, MS relapse should be considered in the differential diagnosis.