Diagnosis andtreatment ofthoracic intervertebral disc protrusions

SUMMARY A series of14patients with a protruded thoracic intervertebral discisreported. We believe thatthetrueincidence may beas high as one patient per million population per annum. Trauma,sometimes mild, seems tohaveplayed a significant roleinthis series. Thisfactcoupled withpronounced numbnessand disagreeableparaesthesiae should suggest thediagnosis withthoracic spinal lesions. Armedwithclinical suspicion, radiological verification ofthelesion can beexpected using a thorough myelographic technique supported ifnecessarybytomography. A posterolateral approach whichcombines laminectomy, complete excision oftheligamentum flavum, andthe extradural removal ofprotruded disc isdescribed. Thetechnique issafeandeffective.