Spinal Stenosis by Multiple Disc Herniation and Osteophytes at the Thoracolumbar Area

Abstract

Thoracic spondylosis is relatively uncommon compared to cervical or lumbar spondylosis. It may cause spinal canal stenosis and result in radiculopathy, neurogenic claudication, and most commonly, myelopathy. Difficulty in detecting abnormality at the thoracolumbar junction on plain X-ray, and similarity of the symptoms to peripheral nerve disease often lead to a delay in diagnosis. We present a case with symptomatic thoracic spondylosis due to multiple disc herniation and osteophytes at the thoracolumbar junction. The significance of examinations including thoracolumbar junction in cases of lower lumbar peripheral symptoms and the method of operation in such cases is discussed here. The result of discectomy, osteophytectomy and interbody fusion by thoracoabdominal approach for our case was acceptable.