Neural compression due to osteochondral fragments: A report of two cases and review of the literature

Compression of neural elements by the herniated inter- vertebral disc is well described. Disease of the interverte- bral disc represents an anatomic continuum ranging from internal disc derangement to extrusion.32 The herniated disc in continuity seldom requires surgical decompression13, 31; when surgery is required, such herniations may respond to volume-reducing measures such as chemonu-cleolysis4, 5’18, 24, 27 or percutaneous discectomy.11<11'17'16 The extruded or free fragment, however, is not amenable to these measures, and if symptomatic, requires open laminectomy for removal.