Non-obvious and obvious signs of the thoracic spine pathology: a clinical study

Abstract

Background The thoracic spine pathology can lead to severe disability and discomfort. This study aims to identify determinant characteristics in patients with thoracic spine pathologies who present with non-regional complaints such as lumbar/cervical pain and others. Methods A prospective observational descriptive study was conducted at Basrah Teaching Hospital from March 2020 to December 2021, enrolling 114 patients categorized into two groups. Group A included patients with thoracic spine pathology and thoracic pain, while Group B consisted of patients with thoracic spine pathology and non-local symptoms (such as lower lumbar pain, pain in extremities, etc.). Comprehensive clinical evaluations were performed using a specially designed questionnaire. Results The majority of patients were in the 60-79 age group, with females comprising 55 % in Group A and 60 % in Group B. Smoking was observed in 28.98 % of Group A and 26.66 % of Group B. Symptomatic patients with solitary back pain commonly exhibited dorsal root compression symptoms (49.27 %), lower limb weakness (18.84 %), and sphincter dysfunction (7.24 %). Patients with thoracic plus lower and/or neck pain frequently reported paraesthesia (42.22 %) and cervical root symptoms (48.38 %). Kyphotic deformity was present in 20.28 % of Group A and 11.11 % of Group B, while tenderness was observed in 23.18 % of Group A and 13.33 % of Group B. Plain radiograph changes, including disk space narrowing (44.44 %), subchondral sclerosis (29.63 %), curve alterations (29.63 %), and facet arthropathy (25.9 %), were more prevalent in those with symptomatic thoracic back pain (Group A). Conclusion Non-local symptoms in thoracic spine pathologies are common, with complicated and multi-site low back pain being more prevalent than isolated back or thoracic pain. Elderly individuals, females, obesity, and comorbidities appear to be predictive risk factors for low back pain development. Paraesthesia emerges as the most common neurological manifestation, while kyphosis and scoliosis are primary presentations of thoracic pathologies. Multi-modalities of imaging, including plain radiographs, MRI, CT scan, and DEXA scan, can aid in detecting back pathologies. The mainstay of managing symptomatic thoracic pathologies is surgical intervention.

Keywords

• spinal pathology
• thoracic spine
• symptomatic thoracic pathology
• spinal deformity