全椎板截骨再植椎管扩大成形术治疗胸椎黄韧带骨化症

目的总结胸椎黄韧带骨化症导致胸椎椎管狭窄的影像学特点，探讨改良椎管减压术的临床疗效。方法胸椎黄韧带骨化症31例，男18例，女13例；年龄26—73岁，平均45．7岁。术前均行MR、CT检查以明确诊断。合并颈椎管狭窄3例、腰椎管狭窄5例，颈胸腰椎管狭窄同时存在者2例；合并胸椎后纵韧带骨化和椎间盘突出症9例。单节段3例，双节段12例，三节段11例，四节段以上5例。局限型6例，连续型17例，跳跃型8例。共94个病变节段，其中上胸段(T1～T4)23个节段、中胸段(T5～T8)19个节段、下胸段(T9-T12)52个节段。手术采用全椎板截骨原位再植椎管扩大成形术。对9例合并胸椎后纵韧带骨化和椎间盘突出者，在后方减压的同时，行切除椎管前方突出椎间盘的环脊髓减压及后路钉棒系统内固定。术后疗效评价参照Epstein标准。结果24例患者随访6—63个月，平均15个月。术后疗效优14例、良7例、可3例，优良率87．5％。1例因术后停用脱水药物过早引起下肢瘫痪症状加重；2例出现下肢静脉血栓；2例硬脊膜撕裂。结论MR结合CT检查是诊断胸椎黄韧带骨化症最有效的手段，全椎板截骨再植椎管扩大成形术安全可靠，疗效满意。

Total laminotomy,in-situ autografting and decompression for the treatment of ossification of thoracic ligamentum flavum

Objective To summarize the imaging features of the thoracic canal stenosis caused by ossification of ligamentum flavum, and to evaluate its clinical results of a novel decompression of total laminotomy and autografting in-situ. Methods 31 patients underwent total laminotomy, autografting in-situ and decompression to treat the ossification of thoracic ligamentum flavum. In the study, there were 18 males and 13 females; the average age was 45.7 years (rang, 26 to 73). 3 patients were associated with cervical stenosis, 5 with lumbar stenosis, and 2 with both cervical and lumbar stenosis. 9 were associated with anterior compression by thoracic disc herniation or OPLL. The vertebrae affected were 1 level in 3 patients, 2 levels in 12, 3 levels in 11 and more than 4 levels in 5. 23 affected segments were located at the upper thoracic spine(T1-T4), 19 at the mid-thoracic spine(T5-T8) and 52 at lower-thoracic spine(T9-T12). All the patients underwent total laminotomy and autografting in-situ, 9 patients with thoracic disc herniation or OPLL received discectomy and internal fixation at one stage. The postoperative outcomes were evaluated according to Epstein criteria. Results The patients were followed up 6 to 63 months (mean, 15 months). The clinical outcomes were excellent in 14 cases, good in 7 cases, and fair in 3 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 87.5%. One case experienced neurological complication with Frankel C grade improved to Frankel D grade treated with neurotrophic drug and hyperbaric oxygen and to Frankel E grade at 5 months after operation. 2 presented with lower limb intravenous thrombosis, and CSF leakage happened in 1 case and cured with re-operation. The osteotomy of total laminotomy was bony healed at average of 5.5 months, and there was not new formed ossification anterior to re-implanted vertebral lamina and spinal cord compression. Conclusion MRI combined with CT scanning is a most useful imaging modality for the diagnosis of ossification of thoracic ligamentum flavum. The novel surgical procedure designed by the authors is safe and effective in treating ossification of thoracic ligamentum flavum.