Post-exertional thoracic pseudomeningocoele in a 41-year-old woman: a rare cause of interscapular pain

Abstract

Summary: We present an unusual case of a previously healthy 41-year-old lady who acutely developed severe, disabling interscapular pain while lifting heavy boxes. She had no associated neurological deficits. She was found to have dorsal thoracic pseudomeningocoeles on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that were successfully managed surgically. While post-exertional spine pain is a common occurrence in every day clinical practice, this is often due to sprains and strains of muscles, tendons and ligaments. In a few cases, imaging reveals lesions such as annular disc tears, disc protrusions, or fractures of osteoporotic vertebra. Pseudomeningocoeles are generally described as complicating surgery or trauma to the spine. This case is unique as it follows exertional stress, which, to our knowledge, is not commonly described in the literature. Further, she had no risk factors such as connective tissue disorders that might have predisposed her to this development.