Herniated thoracic intervertebral disc--an unusual presentation: case report

Abstract

A 63-year-old man, who originally presented with renal colic with radiation of the pain to the corresponding testicle, was proven to have a thoracic intervertebral herniated nucleus pulposus. The myelographic and computed axial tomographic findings utilizing water-soluble contrast medium are described. At operation via a dorsolateral approach, degenerated disc material associated with two free fragments in the spinal canal was removed, which resulted in total pain relief and no neurological deficit. The mode of presentation (namely, renal colic with pain radiating to the testicle) and the computed tomographic findings prompted this communication.