Sequestrated thoracic disc herniation mimicking a tumoral lesion in the spinal canal--a case report

Clin Imaging. 2012 Jul-Aug;36(4):416-9. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2011.09.012. Epub 2012 Jun 8.

Abstract

Calcified thoracic disc sequestration is a very rare disease. Unusual sequestered disc fragments mimic spinal tumors and other space-occupying lesions due to a lack of discernible clinical features that can be used to differentiate these disc fragments from disc herniations and tumoral lesions. In this report, we describe a patient with a dorsally sequestrated calcified disc fragment in the thoracic spine that mimicked a bony tumoral lesion of the spinal canal and present a literature review. Thoracic disc sequestration accompanied by an atypical location requires a systematic diagnostic approach involving accurate preoperative history and careful radiographic evaluation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Calcinosis / diagnosis*
  • Calcinosis / surgery
  • Contrast Media
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Gadolinium
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement* / methods
  • Intervertebral Disc / pathology
  • Intervertebral Disc / surgery
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement / diagnosis*
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement / surgery
  • Laminectomy / methods
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Middle Aged
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / pathology
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / surgery
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / pathology
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Gadolinium