Abstract
Thoracic disk herniation (TDH) after traumatic injury is a relatively uncommon disease
with few cases reported in the literature. Herniated disks in this location typically
may result in progressive myelopathy and refractory pain. In the presence of these
symptoms, surgical treatment may be indicated since spontaneous regression in this
area is less common than that of disk herniations in the cervical or lumbar spine.
Herein, we present the case of giant traumatic TDH that occurred at the T9–T10 level
and spontaneously resolved after 5 months.
We highlight the fact that regression of a herniated disk at the thoracic level may
occur even in the absence of treatment. When considering this phenomenon, conservative
management of these cases with clinical and radiological monitoring may be an appropriate
first-line management for patients without signs of progressive myelopathy or severe
refractory pain.
Keywords
herniation - spontaneous regression - thoracic spine - trauma - myelopathy
