The diagnosis and treatment of thoracic disc herniation

Abstract

Objective To study the clinical manifestation,diagnosis and surgical results of thoracic disc herniation. Methods The clinical appearances from 15 cases with thoracic herniation were analyzed, to study their clinical feature and imaging data,instruct operative methods. Results The thoracic disc protrusion of 3 cases were resected with laminectomy through posterolateral approach. 8 cases were removed transversoarthropediculectomy through posterolateral or costotransversectomy through anterolateral approach and 4 cases were resected with laminactomy and transversoarthropediculectomy. Results The following up period were from 1 to 4 years, excellent and good results were obtained in 80% of the patients. Conclusions Systematic examination, CT or MRI is valuable for the diagnosis of thoracic disc protrusion. Operative treatment is an effective safe way with posterolateral or anterolateral approach and both laminectomy and transversoarthropediculectomy for thoracic disc protrusion. Key words: Thoracic disc protrusion; Diagnosis; Surgical treatment