Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

The relationship of symptomatic thoracolumbar disc herniation and Scheuermann's disease.

PURPOSE: Symptomatic disc herniations in the thoracolumbar spine between T10/11 and L1/2 can be collectively called thoracolumbar disc herniation (TLDH). The etiology of this disorder is unclear. However, it is interesting that we have noted numerous TLDH patients have radiographic features of another spinal disorder which is Scheuermann's disease (SD). The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between symptomatic TLDH and SD in a symptomatic TLDH cohort.

METHODS: A cohort of 63 patients with symptomatic TLDH, who had surgery was investigated. Incidences of associated SD and four radiographic signs of SD that were Schmorl's node, irregular vertebral end plate, posterior bony avulsion of the vertebra and wedge-shaped vertebra, average thoracolumbar kyphotic angle and incidences of disc herniation at segments with and without radiographic signs of SD were examined. Data from the TLDH group were compared with 57 patients undergoing surgery for lower lumbar disc herniation (LDH, L3/4-L5/S1) in the same period.

RESULTS: The incidences of the four radiographic signs of SD and the incidence of associated SD were all significantly higher in the TLDH group than in the LDH group. 95.2 % of the patients in the TLDH group were diagnosed with SD (either classical SD or its atypical form). The average thoracolumbar kyphotic angle of the TLDH group was 16.9°, while that of the LDH group was 7.6° (P = 0.000). In the TLDH group, the incidences of disc herniation at segments with radiographic signs of SD were all significantly higher than at segments where no sign of SD was found.

CONCLUSIONS: The high proportion of associated SD and the tendency of SD's signs to promote disc herniation in symptomatic TLDH patients suggest a close relationship between these two disorders. Symptomatic TLDH should be seen as a truly different surgical entity, that is, a special form of SD rather than just an indicator of a failing back.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app