Asian Spine J.  2015 Apr;9(2):245-253. 10.4184/asj.2015.9.2.245.

Thickness of the Ligamentum Flavum: Correlation with Age and Its Asymmetry-An Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

• Kolte VS
• Khambatta
• Ambiye MV

• KMID: 2270168
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4184/asj.2015.9.2.245

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective radiological study of the ligamentum flavum (LF). PURPOSE: This study is an attempt to measure and compare the thickening of the LF on both the sides with the use of magnetic resonance imaging, to investigate if there is a predominant tendency to thicken a specific side and also to determine if a correlation between the thickening of the LF and increasing age exists. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Even though many studies measured the thickness of the LF, very few have compared it on each side, or determined its correlation with age.
METHODS
The thickness of LF was measured at the L3-4, L4-5, L5-S1 levels on both sides using the magnetic resonance images of 200 patients (n=1,200). The sample population was divided into three groups: 21-40 years, 41-60 years, and 61-80 years. The data was analyzed statistically, comparing the thickness of LF on both sides and in various age-groups.
RESULTS
The thickness of the LF was found to increase with age; however, there were several younger instances with thicknesses >4 mm. The mean thickness of the right LF at different spinal levels was measured (L3-L4=3.38+/-0.94 mm, L4-L5=3.70+/-1.16 mm, and L5-S1=3.65+/-1.16 mm) while the mean thickness of the left LF was higher (L3-L4=3.52+/-0.99 mm, L4-L5=3.84+/-1.12 mm, and L5-S1=3.78+/-1.24 mm).
CONCLUSIONS
The LF thickness does not appear to have any side dominance; however, it tends to thicken with increasing age.

Keyword

Ligamentum flavum; Age; Spinal canal stenosis; MRI measurements; Asymmetry

MeSH Terms

Humans
Ligamentum Flavum*
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Retrospective Studies