Lateral Extracavitary Approach to Thoracic Cord Tumor and Disc Herniation

We treated 9 patients of ventrally or ventrolaterally located thoracic lesions with lateral extracavitary approach, six cases of ventrally located thoracic cord tumor, and three cases of central disc herniation. After operation, the patients' neurological symptoms were effectively improved and there were no signigicant postoperative c omplications. Compared to transthoracic approach, this approach is less invasive and enable simultaneous vertebral reconstruction and posterior spinal fixation. Although relatatively small in number experienced, lateral extracavitry approach is considered to be a alternative method to transthoracic approach for the treatment of ventrally and ventrolaterally located thoracic lesion.

Spontaneous Spinal Epidural Hematoma Mimicking Lumbar Disc Herniation

We experienced 5 surgically confirmed cases of spontaneous lumbosacral spinal epidural hematoma. There was no history of major trauma to the lumbar spine, anticoagulant use, or coagulopathy except repeated minor trauma. The clinical findings in spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma were identical to those in acute disc herniation. These cases were combined with diffuse disc bulging and located in one level of intervertebral segment. Etiologic factors, the clinical findings, bleeding source of lumbo-sacral spontaneous epidural hematoma are stressed with review of patient literature.