Thoracic spinal stenosis: experience with seven cases.

The authors report seven cases of thoracic spinal stenosis caused by thickening of the laminar arch and facet joints. Claudication was a prominent clinical feature of this disorder. Motor and sensory abnormalities were found in all cases with either segmental or peripheral distribution. Diagnosis was best made from the computerized tomography scans. Treatment consisted of extensive posterior decompression including medial facetectomy, resulting in satisfactory improvement in five of the seven patients. A review of the literature regarding this disorder is presented.