Cervical Disc Herniation Presenting with Chest Wall Pain

Abstract

This report highlights the clinical features of two patients who presented with severe neuropathic chest wall pain caused by herniated C6-7 disc, and speculates on the pathophysiology of this syndrome. Worsening of symptoms with neck movement helped localize the process as cervical spine rather than plexus in origin. Both patients had herniated C6-7 disc material compressing the spinal cord and C7 nerve root, and neurological symptoms resolved promptly following surgery. Neuropathic chest wall pain should alert the clinician to consider the diagnosis of cervical disc herniation and prompt definitive imaging of the cervical spine by myelography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). © 1993, Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation. All rights reserved.