Thoracic Disc Herniation Treated by Transthoracic Transpleural Approach

Thoracic disc herniation is uncommon disease and its diagnosis and treatment still remain difficult. We present a case of thoracic disc herniation at T7-8 vertebral level presenting with signs of spinal cord compression. The lesion was diagnosed by magnetic resonance image(MRI) and iopamidol-enhanced computed tomography(CT). The patient was operated by transthoracic transpleural approach using the surgical microscope. the operative result was excellent. A brief review of the literature is given.