贺银川　姜建忠　李永民

Thoracic spinal stenosis, owing to the anterior or posterior compression of the thoracic spinal cord, is usually progressive and unaffected by conservation treatment. Surgical decompression is the major treatment, and early decompression is imperative. Due to the complicated etiology and pathogenesis, coupled with special physiological features and anatomical constructions, it has some difficulties in surgery with more complications and higher risk in paraplegia. Apparently, thoracic spinal stenosis has been one of the most difficult disorders in the field of spinal surgery. Specialists have done lots of researches and designed some surgical treatment according to different pathologic features. The paper gives a general instruction on the current treatment and research progress of thoracic spinal stenosis.