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Kim, Cho, and Oh: Thoracic Myelopathy Due to Ossification of Ligamentum Flavum
Three Cases Report

Journal of Korean Spine Surg 2002;9(3):257-261.

Published online: 21 February 2002

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4184/jkss.2002.9.3.257

Thoracic Myelopathy Due to Ossification of Ligamentum Flavum

Byoung Jik Kim, M.D., Jin Ho Cho, M.D., Hyoung Keun Oh, M.D.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Inje University, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Koyangsi Kyounggido, Korea

Address reprint requests to Cho Jin Ho, M.D. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Inje University #2240 Daehwa-dong, Ilsan-gu, Koyangsi, Kyounggido, Korea Tel : 82-31-910-7330, Fax : 82-31-910-7967, E-mail : OSD07@ilsanpaik.ac.kr

Copyright © 2002 Korean Society of Spine Surgery

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) is a definite clinical entity and is thought to be a form of ectopic ossification which develops predominantly in the lower thoracic spine. OLF causes progressive compressive myelopathy, radiculopathy, or combination of both. We experienced 3 cases of OLF with neurological symptoms, which were treated by posterior decompressive laminectomy and removal of the ossified ligamentum flavum with or without fusion with symptomatic improvement.

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Keywords: Thoracic myelopathy, Ossification of ligamentum flavum

REFERENCES

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jkss-9-257f1.tif
Fig 1.
Preoperative anteroposterior & lateral radiographs shows a compression fracture of the body of T12 and triangular shaped mass are protruded into the spinal canal at T10-11, T11-12 level (case 1).
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jkss-9-257f2.tif
Fig 2.
On CT scan, the spinal canal is compressed by ossified mass and intervertebral disc at T11-12 level.
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jkss-9-257f3.tif
Fig 3.
The postoperative plain lateral radiograph shows that ossified mass was removed.
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jkss-9-257f4.tif
Fig 4.
Microscopically, section of the mass shows an area of ossification in the ligamentum flavum (H&E × 400).
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jkss-9-257f5.tif
Fig 5.
The preoperative MRI show that spinal canal is compressed by ossified nodular mass at T11-12 level (case 2).
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jkss-9-257f6.tif
Fig 6.
The preoperative CT scan reveal ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament and ligamentum flavum at T1-2 level (case 3).
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