Delayed herniation of cauda equina root through occult dural tear following unilateral biportal endoscopic decompression: illustrative case.

BACKGROUND

Incidental dural tears are a well-known but potentially serious complication of spinal surgery. The authors present a unique case of delayed cauda equina herniation through an occult dural tear without any evident CSF leakage, emphasizing diagnostic challenges and preventive measures specific to unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE).

OBSERVATIONS: A 60-year-old man underwent UBE decompression for lumbar canal stenosis and experienced immediate symptom relief. However, 3 weeks postoperatively, he developed acute severe radicular pain, initially presumed to be caused by disc herniation. Despite repeated decompression, his symptoms progressively worsened. MRI findings remained nonspecific, without CSF leakage. Exploratory surgery ultimately revealed herniation of the cauda equina through an occult dural tear. Surgical repair led to rapid symptom relief and complete recovery without neurological deficits.

LESSONS: This case highlights the importance of considering dural pathology as a potential cause of intractable postoperative radicular pain, even when perioperative findings are inconclusive. Continuous irrigation can compress the dura, mask small dural tears, or tamponade minor leaks, delaying recognition. Surgeons should be aware that UBE's technical environment carries a risk of undetected dural injuries. Prompt recognition and repair of dural defects are essential to prevent rare but serious complications like cauda equina herniation. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE25438.