Degenerative disease of the thoracic spine in central India

Abstract

Thoracic spondylosis, better termed 'degenerative thoracic spine disease', is rare and failure to recognize it is mainly due to its rarity and to the complexity of symptomatology which can lead to prolonged and continued morbidity. During the past 4 years, the authors have treated 28 patients with thoracic spine degeneration with varied clinical manifestations, ranging from local pain, radiculopathy to radiculomyelopathy. In six patients, myelopathy developed gradually, four showing features of pseudoclaudication. Two had an acute onset of myelopathy after minor trauma. Radiological examination, including CT scans in a few patients, demonstrated facetal hypertrophy, ossification of the ligamentum flavum and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. One patient had posterior osteophytosis of thoracic spine at multiple level. Surgical decompression for localised stenosis yields good results, but the prognosis for those with diffuse or segmental stenosis is guarded.