Current imaging concepts of thoracic intervertebral disks

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Neurosurgery
• Spinal Imaging

Background:

• Thoracic herniated disks (THD) are a less common cause of spinal pathology compared to cervical or lumbar herniations.
• Accurate diagnosis and understanding of THD are crucial for effective patient management.
• Existing literature and clinical experience provide valuable insights into THD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current concepts and radiologic findings associated with thoracic herniated disks (THD).
• To evaluate the relative frequency of asymptomatic THD.
• To discuss optimal imaging techniques, interpretation criteria, and the strengths and weaknesses of various modalities for diagnosing THD.

Main Methods:

• Review of radiologic literature pertaining to thoracic herniated disks.
• Analysis of clinical experience with over 100 cases of thoracic herniated disks (THD).
• Comparative assessment of imaging modalities: water-soluble myelography, CT myelography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Main Results:

• Documentation of the relative frequency of asymptomatic thoracic herniated disks (THD).
• Evaluation of optimal imaging techniques and interpretation criteria for THD.
• Discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of different imaging modalities for THD diagnosis.

Conclusions:

• Thoracic herniated disks (THD) require careful radiologic assessment using appropriate techniques.
• Understanding the varied clinical presentations of THD is essential for diagnosis and management.
• Optimal management strategies for THD are informed by imaging findings and clinical presentation.