title: Anterior decompression of the thoracic and thoraco-lumbar spine.
abstract: The authors report their experience with six cases of acute spinal cord compression due to tumor, trauma, and infection in which the thoraco-lumbar spine and cord were most satisfactorily decompressed using an anterior transthoracic approach. Consideration is given to the appropriate pre-operative diagnostic procedures utilized to define those cases that are most amenable to an anterior approach. In addition, a consideration of paravertebral anatomy in the thoraco-lumbar area provides a basis for variance in approaching the ventral aspect of the thoraco-lumbar spine in order to minimize potential vascular complications.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000601:surgery*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae