Emergency thoracic diskectomy for the acute onset of paraplegia: report of two cases.

Paul M. Arnold, Mark Bryniarski

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Thoracic disk herniation is a rare event, and acute presentation of this lesion is even less common. METHODS: Case reports. FINDINGS: Both patients presented with rapidly progressing lower extremity weakness and sphincter dysfunction. Radiographic work-up revealed large herniated thoracic disks with spinal cord compression. Emergency thoracic diskectomy was performed. RESULTS: Both patients had partial reversal of neurologic and sphincter abnormalities after emergency surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic disk herniation, although rare, should be considered when patients present with acute thoracic myelopathy. Early surgical intervention may reverse some neurologic injuries.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)481-483
Number of pages3
JournalThe journal of spinal cord medicine
Volume27
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2004
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology

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