A case of mid-thoracic osteoporotic vertebral fracture with the inability to belch syndrome

Abstract

Background: Osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF) commonly occur at the thoracolumbar junction, but are less frequently encountered in the mid-thoracic region. Here, a 69-year-old female presented with back pain and the new onset of symptoms characterized by the inability to belch. Case Description: A 69-year-old female presented with back pain. 2 months later, she developed anorexia and difficulty belching. The thoracic magnetic resonance (MR) demonstrated a T7 OVF. As she ultimately underwent a balloon kyphoplasty (BKP), as conservative treatment was unsuccessful. Conclusion: OVF should be suspected in elderly females with the inability to belch accompanied by chest and back pain. The diagnosis is best established with a spinal MR imaging and should be followed by BKP.