Question
Good Morning, I am suffering from acute pain in the middle of my back.  It feels like someone is holding a hot iron to it.  Even putting clothes on or sitting with my back against a chair etc., is very difficult. In my MRI Jan 2010, several findings were made. Although I was actually being screened for MS.  There were some disc bulges in both my C-spine and my and my L-spine.  In my thoracic spine there were multiple lesions, which they thought were probably hemangioma's.  I did not have a diagnosis of Carcinoid Syndrome at that time.  The thoracic spine lesions were T1 and T2 hyper-intense lesions.  I have 3X compress fractured T-7 & and T-8.  There is some wedging in those areas with a mild loss of disc height at T-5 &6 , T-6. & 7,   T-7, and T-8.  Schmorl's nodes are present in the end plates at multiple levels with not significant narrowing from T-6 to L1 - L2.  A Tarlov's cyst is present in the right neural foramen and T-7 & T-8.

I am in acute pain and have had to stop the narcotic's as my doctor didn't think that this problem with my back warranted these drugs.  Now I in pain 24/7 and it is driving me crazy.  I don't know what to do now.  I would appreciate your input.  Thanks so much.

Answer
Spinal Decompression Toronto patients ask me very similar question Julianne, Thank you for yours,

As for your acute pain in the middle of your back it sounds by the way you describe it that it must be debilitating. I am so sorry for the pain you must be dealing with.  

You mentioned that you are suffering with 3 compression fractures in your thoracic spine but you indicate that they are at T-7 and T-8. My question to you is where is the third compression fracture?  While it is not possible for me to diagnosis your condition in a Q and A format I can tell you that only approximately 15-30% of patients who are diagnosed with a Tarlov cyst have symptoms at all.  It seems more likely to me that a person suffering with pain in the thoracic spine and has compression fractures in the same area may point to the compression fractures as possible causes of the pain, but again I cannot make that definitive diagnosis here.  

Can you please tell me when you may have suffered trauma which may have caused your compression fracture, when did the pain begin and also how soon after did you learn about the compression fracture? Also how old are you? Have you had a bone density test and if so what are your results?

With regards to spinal hemangiomas most of them are asymptomatic and are discovered quite accidentally.

In the meantime I suggest that you continue to add some kind of meditation to help control your pain. Here is a link that can help you get yourself started:  

http://www.ehow.com/how_2031426_use-meditation-pain.html

You deserve a sensible option for care, and my hope is that you find a doctor with experience and compassion to get you to that place quickly. Please try to answer my questions above and get back to me.

Also, can you please take a moment out to rate my answer and consider to nominate me as volunteer of the month.

Dr. Ron Nusbaum
www.backclinicsofcanada.ca