Upper lumbar disc herniation presenting as chronic right lower abdominal pain in a patient with multilevel lumbar degeneration: a case report - Report - MDSpire
Advertisement
Upper lumbar disc herniation presenting as chronic right lower abdominal pain in a patient with multilevel lumbar degeneration: a case report
Chronic Right Lower Abdominal Pain Due to Upper Lumbar Disc Herniation
Overview
This case study presents a 65-year-old woman with chronic right lower abdominal pain attributed to upper lumbar disc herniation (ULDH) amidst multilevel lumbar degeneration. Diagnostic challenges were addressed through selective nerve root block and subsequent surgical intervention.
Background
Upper lumbar disc herniation is a rare condition that can present with atypical symptoms, complicating diagnosis and management. This is particularly challenging in patients with multilevel lumbar degeneration, where multiple radiographic abnormalities may obscure the source of symptoms.
Data Highlights
No numerical data or trial data presented in the article.
Key Findings
Upper lumbar disc herniation (ULDH) accounts for 1%–11% of all lumbar disc herniations.
Patients with ULDH may present with atypical symptoms such as lower abdominal pain rather than typical radicular pain.
Selective nerve root block (SNRB) can aid in identifying the symptomatic level in cases with multilevel degeneration.
Post-surgical outcomes showed a decrease in visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for abdominal and leg pain after targeted interventions.
Staged surgical strategies may be beneficial in managing complex cases with discordant clinical and imaging findings.
Clinical Implications
Clinicians should consider upper lumbar disc herniation as a potential cause of unexplained lower abdominal pain, especially in the presence of negative abdominal evaluations.
Conclusion
This case highlights the importance of considering spinal etiologies in patients with chronic abdominal pain.
