A case of mid-thoracic osteoporotic vertebral fracture with the inability to belch syndrome.

BACKGROUND

Osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF) commonly occur at the thoracolumbar junction, but are less frequently encountered in the mid-thoracic region. Here, a 69-year-old female presented with back pain and the new onset of symptoms characterized by the inability to belch.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 69-year-old female presented with back pain. 2 months later, she developed anorexia and difficulty belching. The thoracic magnetic resonance (MR) demonstrated a T7 OVF. As she ultimately underwent a balloon kyphoplasty (BKP), as conservative treatment was unsuccessful.

CONCLUSION

OVF should be suspected in elderly females with the inability to belch accompanied by chest and back pain. The diagnosis is best established with a spinal MR imaging and should be followed by BKP.