Thoracic vertebral osteophyte-causing myelopathy: early diagnosis and treatment.
METHODS
A case report is described.


OBJECTIVE
To highlight an unusual cause of thoracic myelopathy.


METHODS
Clinical evaluation of 63-year-old male revealed myelopathy. Thoracic cord compression from a solitary projection of a facetal joint osteophyte at the T9-T10 level was documented on magnetic resonance imaging scans and computed tomography scans.


RESULTS
The osteophyte was successfully excised.


CONCLUSIONS
Thoracic cord compression can be caused by various space-occupying lesions, and a high index of suspicion will lead to diagnosis before neurologic deficit is clinically expressed. Magnetic resonance imaging scans and computed tomography scans both demonstrate the osteophyte, and expedient surgery avoids the progression of the neurologic deficit.
Department of Neurosurgery, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, United Kingdom. maxabs@keable.freeserve.co.uk
S
S
Abhaykumar
Atul
A
Tyagi
Gerald M
GM
Towns
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013128:Spinal Osteophytosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome