J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  1991 Jul;20(7):584-589.

A Case of Myelopathy Due to Multiple Ossification of Ligamentum Flavum

• Kang DS
• Oh SJ
• Chung HY
• Kim NK
• Kim KM
• Lee SR

Abstract

The authors report one case of myelopathy due to multiple ossification of ligamentum flavum at the level of thoracic spine. The prominant symptoms were numbness of both leg & foot, gait disturbance, weakness. Motor power was mild decreased. Metrizamide myelography. CTMM, MRI showed prominant ossified ligamentum flavum at T4, T5, T7, T8, T10, which compressed arachnoid space & spinal cord, most prominantat the level of T8. Total laminectomy was made from the level of T4 to theat of T10 by two staged operation. There was marked compression of the dural sac by the ossified ligamentum flavum. Removal of the lesion produced satisfactory decompression. In post-operative state, pre-operative symptom was improved, but there was still impairment of position and touch sense below T10 at Right side. Left side was normalized. Microscopic examination of nodule revealed ossification of nodule revealed ossification of ligamentum flavum.

Keyword

Ligamentum flavum; Multiple ossification; Thoracic myelopathy; Laminectomy

MeSH Terms

Arachnoid
Decompression
Foot
Gait
Hypesthesia
Laminectomy
Leg
Ligamentum Flavum*
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Metrizamide
Myelography
Spinal Cord
Spinal Cord Diseases*
Spine
Metrizamide