Far lateral thoracic disc herniation presenting with flank pain.
BACKGROUND
Although thoracic disc herniations are rare, misdiagnosis is an undesirable situation, as it results not only in unnecessary diagnostic studies and surgical procedures, but also in progressive myelopathy and paralysis. Therefore, it is important to be aware of patients with thoracic disc herniations presenting with unusual or atypical symptoms mimicking other non-spinal disorders.


OBJECTIVE
A patient with left flank pain compatible with urinary system disorder, who proved to have thoracic disc herniation, is presented.


METHODS
Case report


METHODS
The cause of the patient's pain could not be elucidated until thoracic spine magnetic resonance imaging revealed a left thoracic 10-11 lateral disc herniation with associated nerve root compression.


RESULTS
Conservative therapy including bed rest and analgesic medication was initiated. He had complete pain relief within the same day.


CONCLUSIONS
Thoracic disc herniation should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with pain likely caused by nonspinal disorders, especially if basic diagnostic studies do not reveal the cause.
Ozturk
Cagatay
C
Florence Nightingale Hospital, Orthopedic Surgery, Abide-i Hurriyet Caddesi No: 290, 80220 pipli, Istanbul, Turkey. rezocagatay@hotmail.com
Tezer
Mehmet
M
Sirvanci
Mustafa
M
Sarier
Mercan
M
Aydogan
Mehmet
M
Hamzaoglu
Azmi
A
D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001510:Bed Rest; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D021501:Flank Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000473:pathology; D013131:Spine / Q000473:pathology; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000700:Analgesics