Thoracic Spinal Canal Stenosis Associated with Thickened and Calcified Ligamentum

ABSTRACT

The authors report four cases of thoracic spinal canal stenosis caused by thickening of the laminar arch, facet joint and ligamentum flavum. Main symptoms of this disease are gait disturbance and spastic motor seakness, numbness of both legs and feet. Metrizamide myelogram, CT and MRI are most useful diagnostic tools. Sufficient postetior decompressive laminectomy and medial facetectomy are treatment of choice and resulting in satisfactory improvement in 3 patients with fair course in 1 case.