Thoracic Disc Herniation: Operative Approaches and Results

Neurosurgery ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laligam N. Sekhar ◽  
Peter J. Jannetta

Abstract In a series of 12 cases of thoracic disc herniation operated upon at the University of Pittsburgh, 4 different operative approaches were used. These included laminectomy in 2 early cases, posterolateral extrapleural operation in 5 cases, transthoracic operation in 3 cases, and transpedicular operation in 2 cases. The relative merits of the various approaches are discussed in this paper. The clinical presentation, radiological features, and follow-up data are also presented. Precise preoperative radiological diagnosis was essential in planning the operative strategy. The posterolateral and transpedicular approaches were both satisfactory, but the former had some advantages over the latter. With a mean follow-up period of 5 years, 5 patients were cured, 5 were improved, and 1 was unchanged. One patient was worse due to coexistent amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong-Fei Nie ◽  
Kai-Xuan Liu

Thoracic disc herniation is a relatively rare yet challenging-to-diagnose condition. Currently there is no universally accepted optimal surgical treatment for symptomatic thoracic disc herniation. Previously reported surgical approaches are often associated with high complication rates. Here we describe our minimally invasive technique of removing thoracic disc herniation, and report the primary results of a series of cases. Between January 2009 and March 2012, 13 patients with symptomatic thoracic disc herniation were treated with endoscopic thoracic foraminotomy and discectomy under local anesthesia. A bone shaver was used to undercut the facet and rib head for foraminotomy. Discectomy was achieved by using grasper, radiofrequency, and the Holmium-YAG laser. We analyzed the clinical outcomes of the patients using the visual analogue scale (VAS), MacNab classification, and Oswestry disability index (ODI). At the final follow up (mean: 17 months; range: 6–41 months), patient self-reported satisfactory rate was 76.9%. The mean VAS for mid back pain was improved from 9.1 to 4.2, and the mean ODI was improved from 61.0 to 43.8. One complication of postoperative spinal headache occurred during the surgery and the patient was successfully treated with epidural blood patch. No other complications were observed or reported during and after the surgery.


2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
MURILO TAVARES DAHER ◽  
PEDRO FELISBINO JUNIOR ◽  
ADRIANO PASSÁGLIA ESPERIDIÃO ◽  
BRENDA CRISTINA RIBEIRO ARAÚJO ◽  
ANDRÉ LUIZ PASSOS CARDOSO ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objectives: To present the clinical and radiographic results of patients with thoracic disc herniation treated by the posterior approach, according to location and type of hernia (à la carte). Methods: We evaluated thirteen patients (14 hernias) treated by the posterior approach. Eight (61.5%) patients were male and the mean age was 53 years (34-81). Clinical evaluation was performed by the Frankel and JOA modified scales. All the patients underwent the posterior approach, which was performed by facetectomy, transpedicular approach, transpedicular + partial body resection, costotransversectomy or costotransversectomy + reconstruction with CAGE. Results: The mean follow-up was 2 years and 6 months (11-77 months). Of the 14 operated hernias, six (43%) were lateral, 2 (14%) paramedian, and 6 (43%) central. Seven were soft (50%) and seven were calcified. The transfacet approach was carried out in 5 cases (36%), transpedicular in 1 case (7%), transpedicular + partial body resection in 4 (29%), costotransversectomy in 3 (21%), and costotransversectomy + CAGE in one case (7%). The majority of patients with lateral hernia (5/6) were subjected to transfacet decompression and in cases of central and paramedian hernias, all patients underwent decompression, which is more extensive. Conclusions: The posterior approach is safe and effective, and the best approach must be chosen based on location and type of the herniation and the surgeon's experience.


2000 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Perry Black

Object The author describes a technique of thoracic discectomy that has evolved from the posterolateral transfacet and the transpedicular approaches but that spares the pedicle and most of the facet joint. Methods This approach was used to remove a total of 11 discs (T6–12) in seven patients. The follow-up period ranged from 8 months to 3 years. In four patients with axial and/or girdle pain significant improvement was demonstrated. The paraparesis in one patient with myelopathy improved postoperatively; that in another patient improved but recurred 8 months postoperatively. In one patient who experienced preoperative leg weakness, the weakness was slightly increased postoperatively, but this sequela was only transient. There were no other complications, and there were no deaths. Conclusions This technique appears safe and effective. It can be adapted to the conventional laminectomy known to spine surgeons and requires no specialized instruments. Further trials appear warranted.


2012 ◽  
Vol 313 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 32-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wooyoung Jang ◽  
Joong-Seok Kim ◽  
Jin Young Ahn ◽  
Hee-Tae Kim

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 658-666 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Brauge ◽  
Catherine Horodyckid ◽  
Marta Arrighi ◽  
Vincent Reina ◽  
Christophe Eap ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Giant thoracic disc herniation (gTDH) is a rare condition. It is defined by a herniation that occupies at least 40% of the thoracic spinal canal and is usually calcified. Several surgical techniques have been described to date but this surgery remains a technically difficult procedure. OBJECTIVE To report the long-term outcome of 53 patients with myelopathy due to gTDH who were operated on by a thoracoscopic approach. The technical details of the preoperative assessment and the surgical procedure are presented. METHOD We present a retrospective study of a database of 53 patients operated for symptomatic gTDH by a thoracoscopic approach. The following clinical parameters were assessed initially and used during follow-up: Frankel grade and JOA score adapted to the thoracic spine (mJOA), pain in the lower limbs and limitation of the walking perimeter to less than 500 meters. The quality of spinal cord decompression was assessed postoperatively by magnet resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS The mean follow-up was 78.1 mo (SD 49.4). At the last follow-up visit, clinical examination showed a mean improvement of 0.91 Frankel grade (P < 0.001) and 2.56 mJOA score respectively (P < 0.001). Lower limb pain and walking perimeter were also improved. Postoperative MRI revealed that the resection was complete in 35 cases, subtotal in 13 cases, and incomplete in 5 cases. CONCLUSION gTDH is a condition that often evolves favorably after surgery. The thoracoscopic approach is a feasible alternative technique.


2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 332-337
Author(s):  
Aaron Wessell ◽  
Harry Mushlin ◽  
Charles Fleming ◽  
Evan Lewis ◽  
Charles Sansur

Abstract BACKGROUND The disc location, extent of calcification, limited visualization of the ventral cord, and tenuous blood supply to the thoracic spinal cord pose unique technical challenges when surgically treating thoracic disc herniation. OBJECTIVE To report our initial experience with a series of cases in which intraoperative ultrasound image guidance was used for thoracic discectomy through a unilateral transpedicular or costotransversectomy approach. METHODS Five patients (n = 5) underwent a transpedicular approach and five (n = 5) underwent costotransversectomy for thoracic discectomy. Pre- and postoperative clinical records, operative reports, disc location/calcification, and complications were reviewed. RESULTS There were 6 (n = 6) males and 4 (n = 4) females with an average age of 54 yr (range: 33-74). All patients had symptoms attributable to a single-level of thoracic disc herniation. Discs were classified as central (n = 5) and paracentral (n = 5). Preoperative CT and/or intraoperative visualization demonstrated calcified disc material in 6 (n = 6) patients. Final outcomes data at last follow-up was available for 9 of 10 patients. Eight of these nine patients experienced a return to normal baseline functional status. Postoperative imaging confirmed that no wrong-level surgeries were performed. The mean length of follow-up was 20.4 wk (range 4-48). CONCLUSION Thoracic discectomy with ultrasound visualization via a unilateral transpedicular or costotransversectomy approach is safe and effective for treatment of central and paracentral calcified disc herniations. This tool improves the safety profile of thoracic discectomy and allows for treatment of thoracic discs through less invasive approaches.


2016 ◽  
Vol 90 ◽  
pp. 194-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralf Wagner ◽  
Albert E. Telfeian ◽  
Menno Iprenburg ◽  
Guntram Krzok ◽  
Ziya Gokaslan ◽  
...  

1982 ◽  
Vol 64-B (3) ◽  
pp. 340-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Otani ◽  
S Nakai ◽  
Y Fujimura ◽  
S Manzoku ◽  
K Shibasaki

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-282
Author(s):  
Michael M. McDowell ◽  
Nitin Agarwal ◽  
Gordon Mao ◽  
Stephen Johnson ◽  
Hideyuki Kano ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEThe study of pediatric arteriovenous malformations (pAVMs) is complicated by the rarity of the entity. Treatment choice has often been affected by the availability of different modalities and the experience of the providers present. The University of Pittsburgh experience of multimodality treatment of pAVMs is presented.METHODSThe authors conducted a retrospective cohort study examining 212 patients with pAVM presenting to the University of Pittsburgh between 1988 and 2018, during which patients had access to surgical, endovascular, and radiosurgical options. Univariate analysis was performed comparing good and poor outcomes. A poor outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of ≥ 3. Multivariate analysis via logistic regression was performed on appropriate variables with a p value of ≤ 0.2. Seventy-five percent of the cohort had at least 3 years of follow-up.RESULTSFive patients (2.4%) did not receive any intervention, 131 (61.8%) had GKRS alone, 14 (6.6%) had craniotomies alone, and 2 (0.9%) had embolization alone. Twenty-two (10.4%) had embolization and Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS); 20 (9.4%) had craniotomies and GKRS; 8 (3.8%) had embolization and craniotomies; and 10 (4.7%) had embolization, craniotomies, and GKRS. Thirty-one patients (14.6%) were found to have poor outcome on follow-up. The multivariate analysis performed in patients with poor outcomes was notable for associations with no treatment (OR 18.9, p = 0.02), hemorrhage requiring craniotomy for decompression alone (OR 6, p = 0.03), preoperative mRS score (OR 2.1, p = 0.004), and Spetzler-Martin score (OR 1.8, p = 0.0005). The mean follow-up was 79.7 ± 62.1 months. The confirmed radiographic obliteration rate was 79.4% and there were 5 recurrences found on average 9.5 years after treatment.CONCLUSIONSHigh rates of long-term functional independence (mRS score of ≤ 2) can be achieved with comprehensive multimodality treatment of pAVMs. At this center there was no difference in outcome based on treatment choice when accounting for factors such as Spetzler-Martin grade and presenting morbidity. Recurrences are rare but frequently occur years after treatment, emphasizing the need for long-term screening after obliteration.


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