Thoracic vertebral osteophyte-causing myelopathy: early diagnosis and treatment.

STUDY

DESIGN

A case report is described.

OBJECTIVE

To highlight an unusual cause of thoracic myelopathy.

METHODS

Clinical evaluation of 63-year-old male revealed myelopathy. Thoracic cord compression from a solitary projection of a facetal joint osteophyte at the T9-T10 level was documented on magnetic resonance imaging scans and computed tomography scans.

RESULTS

The osteophyte was successfully excised.

CONCLUSIONS

Thoracic cord compression can be caused by various space-occupying lesions, and a high index of suspicion will lead to diagnosis before neurologic deficit is clinically expressed. Magnetic resonance imaging scans and computed tomography scans both demonstrate the osteophyte, and expedient surgery avoids the progression of the neurologic deficit.