title: Single-level bilateral facet joint hypertrophy causing thoracic spinal canal stenosis.
abstract: Thoracic canal stenosis caused by hypertrophy of the posterior spinal elements is rare. We report an unusual case of bilateral zygapophyseal joint hypertrophy occurring solely at thoracic levels T10-11, producing bilateral leg weakness and numbness. The diagnosis was established using CT scans and MRI. A wide decompressive laminectomy and posterolateral bone fusion was performed. Postoperatively there was a marked improvement in symptoms and signs. We present a literature review on bilateral single-level facet joint hypertrophy producing canal stenosis and report our experience.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, The Epworth Hospital, Richmond 3121, Victoria, Australia.
authors: Andy
authors: A
authors: Lim
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: D'Urso
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015576:Hyperostosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D021801:Zygapophyseal Joint / Q000473:pathology*