J Korean Geriatr Soc.  2002 Mar;6(1):74-78.

A Case Quadriplegia due to Minor Head Trauma Associated with Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament of the Cervical Spine

Abstract

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament(OPLL) is a condition that the posterior longitudinal ligament is ossified during the process of degeneration. In most cases, the condition is innocuous, but it may cause symptoms due to compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots. Many cases of OPLL have been found in Japan, but it is reported in other countries as a cause of myelopathy. We report a 61-year-old man with OPLL who developed quadriplegia after minor head injury. This case shows that the progression of OPLL can be as deleterious as complete guadriplegia even after decompression.

Keyword

Ossification; Posterior longitudinal ligament; quadriplegia

MeSH Terms

Craniocerebral Trauma*
Decompression
Head*
Humans
Japan
Longitudinal Ligaments*
Middle Aged
Quadriplegia*
Spinal Cord
Spinal Cord Diseases
Spine*