J Korean Neurol Assoc.  1999 Sep;17(5):747-751.

The Cervical Herniated Intervertebral Disc Presenting with False Localizing Thoracic Sensory Levels

• Lee BR
• Cho DS
• Yoon SG
• Cho SG
• Ahn MY
• Sung KB

Abstract

Symptoms of compressive cervical myelopathy classically include spasticity and weakness, predominantly involving the lower extremities. Sensory abnormalities are reportedly common in the upper extremities, but are often vague or misleading. The sensory findings are usually localized 2-3 spinal segments below the actual spinal cord compression. In our current series, 3 patients presented with progressive symptoms of weakness and hyperreflexia involving the lower extremities without upper extremity symptoms and with a distant thoracic sensory level ranging from T10 to T12. All 3 patients were eventually found to have a cervical herniated intervertebral disc. The direct physical effects of compression and vascular compromise in the central cervical cord compression may be responsible for the reported abnormality at a distinct thoracic sensory level. Failure to diagnose cervical myelopathy because of the presence of a thoracic sensory level can delay appropriate treatment or lead to incorrect therapy.

Keyword

Compressive myelopathy; Cervical herniated intervertebral disc; Thoracic sensory level; False localizing signs

MeSH Terms

Humans
Intervertebral Disc*
Lower Extremity
Muscle Spasticity
Reflex, Abnormal
Spinal Cord Compression
Spinal Cord Diseases
Upper Extremity