Early cystic thoracic cord cavity complicating decompressive surgery for spondylotic spinal canal stenosis. Case report.

This is a report of a patient who developed thoracic cystic myelopathy immediately following an otherwise successful decompression operation for spondylotic stenosis secondary to osteophyte formation of the thoracic spinal canal. As this case shows, thoracic laminectomy is not without risks, and cystic myelopathy is a potential complication that should be borne in mind when surgery for spondylosis is being planned. Cavitation of the spinal cord may be associated with trauma secondary to extramedullary cord compression.