Non-traumatic Spontaneous Paraplegia Secondary to Thoracic Disc Herniations in the Setting of Tobacco Abuse and COVID-19: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Thoracic disc herniations (TDHs) are very rare. While most common in the setting of trauma, other etiologies have been documented. Here, we present a case of spontaneous TDHs in the setting of tobacco abuse and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causing acute paraplegia. We review spontaneous TDHs, associated risk factors, and the possible role of COVID-19 in the pathophysiology.