Treatment for multiple segmental thoracic spinal canal stenosis

This report describes a special case of thoracic spinal canal stenosis, which is rarely mentioned in the literature. Thoracic spinal canal stenosis is unusual because it is caused by comprehensive elements and involves multiple segments of the thoracic spine. Compared with the cervical spinal stenosis and lumbar spinal stenosis, thoracic spinal canal stenosis has lower morbidity. This patient underwent twice decompressive laminectomy. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed that the ossification of ligamentum flavum and posterior longitudinal ligament had compressed the thoracic spinal cord. Osseous hyperplasia of the vertebral body had also contributed to the compression. Before the first surgery, the compression was clearly referred to the T2-T6 and T8-T10 levels. Before the second surgery, the compression was at the T10-T11 level. Therefore we performed decompressive laminectomy at the T2-T6 and T8-T10 levels in the first operation and at the T10-T11 level in the second operation. In both operations, we found severe adhesion between the ligamentum flavum and the endorachis. The calcified and ossified ligamentum flavum was carefully removed. After the operations, the patient’s symptoms of thoracoabdominal zonesthesia and numbness of the lower extremities were resolved. Many factors can lead to thoracic spinal canal stenosis. Diagnosis of thoracic spinal canal stenosis depends on clinical symptoms and imaging studies. Various symptoms occur depending on the segments which are referred to and the degree of spinal cord compression. Different ways of operation are chosen due to the causes of thoracic spinal stenosis. Different individuals who suffered from thoracic spinal canal stenosis may have different curative effect after the operations.