SURGICAL TREATMENT OF TUMORS OF THE UPPER-THORACIC SPINE

Abstract

The experience of surgical treatment of 19 patients with tumors of the upper-thoracic spine is analyzed. All the patients had undergone decompressive-stabilizing surgical procedures. Surgical approach, form of decompression and fixation were determined depending on the signs of compression of the spinal cord and neural structures, etiology and degree of the vertebral body destruction. Good and satisfactory short- and long-term results were achieved in all the patients. The case of surgical treatment of female patient with giant neurofibromas of Th2 vertebrae is also reported.

Keywords

• tumors of the spine
• decompressive-stabilizing surgery
• spinal cord compression syndrome
• anterior distraction device