Pseudoappendicitis: abdominal pain arising from thoracic spine dysfunction-a forgotten entity and a reminder of an important clinical lesson

Acute or chronic abdominal pain can be mimicked by thoracic spine dysfunction. However, it is comparatively rare and there is frequently a delay in its diagnosis that may lead to unnecessary surgery, or the patient's symptoms being undiagnosed or labelled psychosomatic. The failure to associate...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMJ case reports 2016-09, Vol.2016, p.bcr2016216490
Main Authors: Garo-Falides, Basil, Wainwright, Thomas William
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abdominal Pain - etiology
Abdominal Pain - physiopathology
Abdominal Pain - therapy
Adult
Analgesics - therapeutic use
Diagnosis, Differential
Female
Humans
Intervertebral Disc Displacement - complications
Intervertebral Disc Displacement - physiopathology
Intervertebral Disc Displacement - therapy
Male
Nerve Block
Physical Examination - methods
Reminder of Important Clinical Lesson
Spinal Nerve Roots - pathology
Thoracic Vertebrae - physiopathology
Treatment Outcome
United Kingdom
White
Young Adult
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Summary:Acute or chronic abdominal pain can be mimicked by thoracic spine dysfunction. However, it is comparatively rare and there is frequently a delay in its diagnosis that may lead to unnecessary surgery, or the patient's symptoms being undiagnosed or labelled psychosomatic. The failure to associate thoracic spine dysfunction with abdominal pain persists, despite it being first recognised over 80 years ago. 2 recent such cases are presented. The clinical presentation and diagnostic tests are described, with clear explanation of the treatment and outcome. The case for including the thoracic spine examination in the assessment of patients presenting with acute abdominal or postappendectomy pain that is of unexplained origin is made.
ISSN:1757-790X
1757-790X
DOI:10.1136/bcr-2016-216490