Related Experiment Videos
Intra-abdominal symptoms arising from spinal osteophytes
The British Journal of Surgery
|April 1, 1975
Summary
Osteophytes from the 4th lumbar vertebra can cause severe abdominal and ureteric pain by irritating nearby organs. Surgical removal of these bony growths resolved symptoms in reported cases, suggesting osteophytes as a potential cause for intractable pain.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Gastroenterology
- Urology
Background:
- Intractable abdominal and ureteric pain can have diverse etiologies.
- Osteophytes, bony outgrowths, are common spinal degenerative changes.
- Their role in causing visceral pain is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report two cases where osteophytic growth from the 4th lumbar vertebra caused significant abdominal and ureteric pain.
- To highlight osteophytes as a potential, previously unreported cause of visceral pain.
Main Methods:
- Case report of two patients presenting with unexplained abdominal and ureteric pain.
- Identification of osteophytic growth from the 4th lumbar vertebra as the causative agent.
- Surgical excision of the osteophytes.
Main Results:
- Both patients experienced resolution of their respective intestinal and ureteric pain following surgical removal of the lumbar osteophytes.
- Histopathological examination confirmed the nature of the osteophytic growth.
Conclusions:
- Osteophytic growth from the lumbar spine can manifest as a cause of intestinal and ureteric pain.
- This etiology should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intractable abdominal and ureteric pain.
- Surgical excision is an effective treatment modality for osteophyte-induced visceral pain.