[Pseudoanginal complaints of vertebral origin (author's transl)].

Torsion scoliosis of the upper thoracic vertebral column was causally linked with intrathoracic pains not of coronary origin. A key to understanding the origin of pain seems to lie in the sternal syndrome and the nociceptive somatomotor-blocking effect arising from it. With reference to an unselected patient collective of 38 cases of pseudoanginal complaints, of which in almost 50% the intrathoracic type of pain was found, changes in the thoracic vertebral column and in nearly 75% a torsion scoliosis was demonstrated. Coronary heart disease was excluded by the case history, clinically and by observation of the course. On clinical examination the sternal stress posture described by Brügger was mostly impressive. The incidence of characteristic findings on clinical investigation is classified in a table.