Spontaneous Regression Of A Large Calcified Thoracic Disk Extrusion
Oligane, H., Rongo, J., Agarwal, V., & Branstetter, B. F., 4th (2018). Spontaneous regression of a large calcified thoracic disk extrusion. Skeletal radiology, 47(8), 1177–1182. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-018-2887-7
View Original Source →Abstract
Although spontaneous regression of herniated disk material has been reported in the lumbar and cervical spine, reports of complete spontaneous regression of calcified thoracic disk herniations are exceedingly rare. In symptomatic patients, surgery is typically the treatment of choice; however, conservative therapy with surveillance may allow time for spontaneous resolution and potentially avoid high-risk surgery. We report a 40-year-old woman with complete spontaneous resolution of a large calcified thoracic disk extrusion with conservative management over an 8-month period.
Case Details
Disease Location
T10-t11 intrevertrebal disk
Personal Characteristics
40-year-old woman. History of anemia and depression.
Clinical Characteristics
Complaining of abdominal cramping and lower back pain for 1 week. She had had intermittent mild lower back and buttock pain for many years. CT of the abdomen and pelvis showed a large calcified disk extrusion at the t10–t11 level with high-grade central canal stenosis. MRI demonstrated associated spinal cord edema
Remission Characteristics
MRI obtained 8 months after her initial presentation showed complete resolution of the calcified disk extrusion
Treatment & Mechanisms
Proposed Remission Mechanisms
Regression of the calcified disk extrusion might be related to our patient’s persistent mild exercise during her recovery period, which could have induced an inflamma- tory process promoting increased blood flow and therefore enzymatic degradation and phagocytosis.
Non-Clinical Treatment
Mild physical activity