The Cervical Herniated Intervertebral Disc Presenting with False Localizing Thoracic Sensory Levels.
- Author:
Bo Ram LEE
1
;
Dong Sin CHO
;
Shin Gu YOON
;
Sang Gull CHO
;
Mu Young AHN
;
Ki Bum SUNG
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Compressive myelopathy;
Cervical herniated intervertebral disc;
Thoracic sensory level;
False localizing signs
- MeSH:
Humans;
Intervertebral Disc*;
Lower Extremity;
Muscle Spasticity;
Reflex, Abnormal;
Spinal Cord Compression;
Spinal Cord Diseases;
Upper Extremity
- From:Journal of the Korean Neurological Association
1999;17(5):747-751
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Symptoms of compressive cervical myelopathy classically include spasticity and weakness, predominantly involving the lower extremities. Sensory abnormalities are reportedly common in the upper extremities, but are often vague or misleading. The sensory findings are usually localized 2-3 spinal segments below the actual spinal cord compression. In our current series, 3 patients presented with progressive symptoms of weakness and hyperreflexia involving the lower extremities without upper extremity symptoms and with a distant thoracic sensory level ranging from T10 to T12. All 3 patients were eventually found to have a cervical herniated intervertebral disc. The direct physical effects of compression and vascular compromise in the central cervical cord compression may be responsible for the reported abnormality at a distinct thoracic sensory level. Failure to diagnose cervical myelopathy because of the presence of a thoracic sensory level can delay appropriate treatment or lead to incorrect therapy.
