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Intraoperative Ultrasound in Spinal Surgery
Published on: August 17, 2022
Thoracic disk herniation presenting as abdominal and pelvic pain: a case report
Y Xiong1, E Lachmann, S Marini
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, New York Presbyterian Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY, USA. yxiong@pol.net
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|August 9, 2001
Summary
A rare case of thoracic disk herniation after trauma presented as severe abdominal pain in a young woman. Surgical decompression dramatically relieved her symptoms, highlighting the need for broader diagnostic considerations.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- Abdominal and pelvic pain can have diverse etiologies, sometimes mimicking gynecological or gastrointestinal conditions.
- Thoracic disc herniations are uncommon and often present with radicular pain or myelopathy, rarely as visceral pain.
Observation:
- A young woman experienced severe 2-month abdominal and pelvic pain post-bicycle fall.
- Initial work-up suggested endomyometritis, with minimal relief from standard pain management.
- Thoracic spine MRI revealed a T9-10 disc herniation compressing the spinal cord.
Findings:
- Symptomatic thoracic disc herniation can manifest as atypical abdominal and pelvic pain.
- Surgical intervention (T9-10 diskectomy and laminectomy) led to complete symptom resolution.
- Postoperative rehabilitation facilitated functional recovery.
Implications:
- Physicians should consider thoracic disc herniation in the differential diagnosis of unexplained abdominal and pelvic pain, especially after trauma.
- Awareness of this rare presentation can prevent unnecessary invasive diagnostic procedures and delays in appropriate treatment.
- This case underscores the importance of thorough neurological assessment in patients with persistent, unexplained pain.
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