Cervical instability presenting as thoracic pain: case report and literature review.

Publication/Presentation Date

3-1-2012

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: Case report.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of cervical instability from an os odontoideum that presented as posterior thoracic pain and to present a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic posterior paraspinal spasms and pain are common chief complaints in individuals with spinal abnormalities.

METHODS: A 19-year-old man presented with posterior thoracic pain for nearly 1 year following a college sports-related injury (lacrosse). Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging did not reveal any significant thoracic or lumbar spinal cord or nerve root pathology, but did reveal an incidental finding of an os odontoideum.

RESULTS: Surgical stabilization of the atlantoaxial instability resulting from the os odontoideum resulted in complete resolution of the patient's thoracic pain.

CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic back pain without a clear thoracic spine etiology warrants further workup to rule out the possibility of spinal instability.

Volume

35

Issue

2

First Page

125

Last Page

127

ISSN

1079-0268

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

PubMedID

22525325

Department(s)

Administration and Leadership

Document Type

Article

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