Scheuermann's Disease

This is a patient who presented with back pain. Frontal and lateral radiographs of the thoracic and lumbar spine were obtained. The frontal radiograph demonstrates right convex scoliosis of the thoracic spine. There is a cardiac device with leads extending to the heart as well as evidence of prior cardiac surgery. On the lateral radiograph, the thoraic spine demonstrates in increase in the expected kyphosis. Additionally, as indicated by the red arrow, there are multilevel endplate herniations of the intervertebral disc known as Schmorls nodes. Multilevel Schmorls node resulting increased kyphosis of the thoracic spine is known as Scheuermanns disease. This commonly results in back pain and is usually managed medically. If the patient has pain refractory to medication, surgical intervention can be considered.