MR images of the spine show a left anterolateral displacement and anterior kink of the thoracic spinal cord at the T2-T3 level, with focal herniation through a ventral dural defect into the left anterior epidural space and disappearance of the cord from the bony canal at the level of herniation. The subarachnoid space widens with CSF pulsation artifacts dorsal to the dural fault, which indicates unimpeded CSF flow posterior to the cord.
Impression: The findings are consistent with ventral cord herniation at the T2-T3 level.