[Spinal cord compression in multiple cartilagineous exostoses (case report)].

A 53-year-old patient with multiple cartilagineous exostoses developed narrowing of the thoracic spinal canal with compression of the cord and spastic paraplegia. The importance of radiologic examination of the whole spine as well as of the extremities is emphasized. When there is an exostosis in the spine neurologic examination disclosing cord compression should be carried out at regular intervals. If there are signs of cord compression, early decompressive laminectomy is the treatment of choice.