Herniated thoracic disc mimicking spinal abscess.

Herniated thoracic discs are uncommon. Although uncommon, their potential for spinal cord damage makes them an important cause of backache. History and examination may be unhelpful, and even misleading. A diagnostic clue is disc space calcification on plain radiographs. Diagnosis can be confirmed by myelography or CT scanning. Cord compression can be prevented by surgery, which carries a low risk. Herniated thoracic disc should be remembered as a cause of backache in view of its serious, but treatable nature.