Concomitant noncontiguous level (thoracic & lumbar) spinal stenosis.

Presented here is a prospective study assessing the efficacy of decompression of concomitant noncontiguous level (thoracic & lumbar) stenosis in accordance with neurological findings, nerve root blocks, and myelographically proven disease. The objective was to determine the efficacy, clinical outcome, and functional recovery in patients undergoing simultaneous decompression. No previous study has focussed on the clinical outcome of such simultaneous decompression. Twenty-one patients with neurological claudication, progressive gait disturbance, upper motor neuron symptoms, and findings of myelopathy in both the lower extremities underwent simultaneous decompression and were assessed. The average follow-up was 32 months (range, 24-40 months). At the last examination,13 patients (82%) had excellent or good clinical results. Postoperative improvement correlated inversely with the duration of symptoms. The patients usually had satisfactory outcomes when the correct diagnosis was made and management was implemented. Functional recovery depends on early diagnosis and timely surgical intervention.