J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  1983 Dec;12(4):751-758.

Cervical Myelopathy caused by Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

• Kim YS
• Kim SH
• Lee JK

Abstract

Cervical myelopathy due to the ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (O.P.L.L.) is very rare and not well recognized outside of Japan. We have recently experienced five such cases. The etiology was unknown in four patients but trauma would be the definite cause of O.P.L.L. in a patient who had Cloward operation for the cervical spine fracture of C4 about 10 years ago. The computed tomography of the spine promises to be a valuable method for evaluating the degree of narrowing of spinal canal and the direction of the decision of operative method to the neurosurgical team. Anterior decompression with interbody fusion of C5/6 and C6/7 was done in one case with remarkable improvement. Other four cases were treated conservatively. We have discussed the nature and operative methods of this disease entity.

Keyword

Cervical Myelopathy; Ossification; Posterior Longitudinal Ligament; Computed Tomography

MeSH Terms

Decompression
Humans
Japan
Longitudinal Ligaments*
Spinal Canal
Spinal Cord Diseases*
Spine