Thoracic Disc Syndrome

Be the first to edit this page and have your name permanently included as the original editor, see the <a href="Editing pages">editing pages tutorial</a> for help.

Sarah Harnie - Your name will be added here if you created the original content for this page. Lead Editors - Your name will be added here if you are a lead editor on this page.  <a href="Physiopedia:Editors">Read more.</a>

Search strategy

Information concerning ‘thoracic disc syndrome’ was collected by using article databases, such as Pubmed, Web of Knowledge, Google Scholar, and books from the medical library at the VUB.
The key words used are : ‘thoracic disc syndrome/ disease/ lesion/ injury/ herniation’, ‘syndrome of the prolapsed thoracic intervertebral disc’, ‘thoracic discogenic pain syndrome’ and ‘thoracic degenerative disc disease’. These terms are all synonyms for ‘thoracic disc syndrome’.
The most successful keywords were Thoracic Disc Disease and Thoracic Disc Herniation.

Clinically Relevant Anatomy

Clinically relevant for this condition are the thoracic spine (T1-T12) and the intervertebral discs between the vertebrae. These discs act like shock absorbers for the spine as it moves. Each disc is made up of an annulus fibrosus and a gel-like inner substance, the nucleus pulposus. Together, the vertebrae and the discs provide the spinal canal to house the spinal cord and spinal nerves. 4

Epidemiology/Etiology

The development of thoracic disc degeneration is not well defined. As in the cervical and lumbar spines, thoracic disc degeneration is part of normal aging. A history of trauma may be present in younger individuals who develop thoracic pain. Those with chronic spinal cord or nerve root compression frequently have prolonged symptoms, although MRI studies on asymptomatic people note that asymptomatic disc herniations are seen in up to one-third of these asymptomatic people. 3

Symptomatic thoracic disc degeneration may develop if affected discs have herniated or become displaced. In disc herniation, symptoms may occur when the annulus fibrosus of the degenerated disc slips from its normal position between the vertebrae, or the nucleus pulposus of the disc protrudes through the annulus. Individuals with congenital or developmental deformities of the spine such as scoliosis or kyphosis may be more likely to develop thoracic disc degeneration. 3

Characteristics/Clinical Presentation

add text here relating to the clinical presentation of the condition

Differential Diagnosis

add text here relating to the differential diagnosis of this condition

Diagnostic Procedures

The use of CT in combination with myelography and MRI greatly increased the ability to accurately visualize thoracic spine disorders. 2
A myelogram usually indicates the level of the lesion with certainty, although, special projections may be needed. 9
Today, MRI is the imaging method of choice in the investigation of the thoracic spinal canal. 10

Outcome Measures

Thoracic intervertebral disc degeneration on MRI is shown by a decrease in signal intensity with or without loss of disc height. A normal, healthy disc displays a high intensity signal. Disc degeneration can be detected by a reduced signal intensity due to loss of water from the nucleus pulposus. 11

Examination

add text here relating to management approaches to the condition

Medical Management

add text here relating to the differential diagnosis of this condition

Physical Therapy Management

add text here relating to the differential diagnosis of this condition

Key Evidence

add text here relating to key evidence with regards to any of the above headings

Resources

add appropriate resources here

Case Studies

add links to case studies here (case studies should be added on new pages using the <a href="Template:Case Study">case study template</a>)

Clinical Bottom Line

References will automatically be added here, see <a href="Adding References">adding references tutorial</a>.

<span class="fck_mw_references" _fck_mw_customtag="true" _fck_mw_tagname="references" />