Introduction Thoracic disc herniation (HTD) was first described by Key in 1838 and has since proven to be challenging to both diagnose and treat properly. The surgical management of HTDs has evolved over the past 50 years. Symptomatic HTD is…
Acknowledgments We thank Mr. James Postier, who is a medical illustrator at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and created the illustrations used in this chapter. Background Thoracic disc herniation (TDH) is a rare form of degenerative intervertebral disc disease, making…
History Thoracic Disc Disease The surgical management of disorders of the thoracic spine began in 1814 when H. J. Cline attempted to treat a fracture of the thoracic spine by laminectomy. In 1911, Middleton and Teacher attempted the first surgical…
The management of thoracic disc herniations presents a paradox to the casual observer. One of the most accepted features of thoracic disc disease is its infrequency in comparison with the more common cervical and lumbar disc herniations. Given such a…
Recent advances in complex spinal surgery have helped foster the increased number of cervical spine procedures that are using a bidirectional approach. This is done for decompression of the neural elements, biomechanical stresses, and to influence the fusion ability of…
Historical Background Cervical spondylosis or ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) causing cervical myelopathy have been traditionally managed with cervical laminectomy with or without concomitant arthrodesis. Cervical laminoplasty was introduced as a method to avoid postoperative complications associated with…
Introduction Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is caused by a reduction of the sagittal diameter of the cervical spinal canal as a result of congenital and/or degenerative changes in the cervical spine. It is the most common type of spinal cord…
Acknowledgment The authors thank Dr. Saxena for the cervical disc replacement operative photographs. Operative video is available on Expert Consult. Background Considerations Although great progress has occurred on the biomechanical aspects and significant progress on the clinical aspects of spinal…
Minimally invasive posterior cervical (MIPC) approaches are safe and effective procedures that can be used to treat clinically significant foraminal stenosis resulting from lateral disc herniation or osteophytes. Symptoms improve in more than 90% of patients who undergo the procedure.…
Acknowledgment Fig. 135.1 is courtesy of Mr. Bahram Fakouri, Consultant Spinal Surgeon, Guy’s and St. Thomas Hospital, London, UK; and Fig. 135.2 is courtesy of Dr. Ram Chaddha, Spine Surgeon, Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, India. Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy/Myelopathy:…