Disappearing large calcified thoracic disc herniation in a patient with thalassaemia.

SUMMARY Regression of herniated disc fragments with subsequent improvement in clinical symptoms has been reported in the lumbar and cervical spine. Such regressions in the thoracic spine are extremely rare. We report a case of a 38-year-old patient with thalassaemia who had regression of a large calcified herniated thoracic disc causing cord compression, with subsequent herniation of a second calcified disc at a different level and discuss the possible aetiopathogenesis. This is the first such case reported in the thalassaemia population. BACKGROUND It is known that disc degeneration and calcification is more common in patients with thalassaemia than in the general population. 1 Regression of herniated disc fragments with subsequent improvement of clinical symptoms, usually in the lumbar and cervical spine, has also been well reported. Such regressions in the thoracic spine are extremely rare. We report an interesting case of regression of a large calcified herniated thoracic disc with cord compression, with subsequent herniation of a second calcified disc at a different level, and discuss the possible aetiopathogenesis. This is the first such case reported in the thalassaemia population.