Korean J Spine.  2016 Sep;13(3):139-143. 10.14245/kjs.2016.13.3.139.

Increased Prevalence of Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament and Increased Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Ossification of Nuchal Ligament

• Kim KW
• Oh YM
• Eun JP

• KMID: 2354713
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14245/kjs.2016.13.3.139

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
There are also few studies demonstrating the relationship between ossification of nuchal ligament (ONL) and ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). We compared the prevalence, location, and type of OPLL between patients with ONL and matched patients without ONL.We also compared the bone mineral densities (BMDs) between the 2 groups.
METHODS
total of 124 cervical ONL patients were enrolled in this study. The control group of 124 patients was matched with 124 patients with ONL by age and sex on a 1:1 basis to minimize confounding factors. We reviewed the prevalence, location, and type of OPLL in both groups.
RESULTS
The prevalence of OPLL was almost 2.5 times greater in patients with ONL than those without ONL. The mean value of BMD in patients with ONL was greater at the lumbar spine (L1-L4) than in patients without ONL. The mean T score of the lumbar spine was 0.25±1.68 in the patients with ONL and -0.73±1.64 in the patients without ONL.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of OPLL in patients with ONL was significantly higher than in patients without ONL. Because ONL is innocuous and may be seen more readily than OPLL on simple cervical radiographs, clinicians should consider the possibility of coexisting OPLL when ONL, especially extensive ONL, is detected in patients with neck pain, radiculopathy, or myelopathy, to facilitate proper treatment.

Keyword

Ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament; Bone density; Spine; Nuchal ligament

MeSH Terms

Bone Density*
Humans
Ligaments*
Neck Pain
Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament*
Prevalence*
Radiculopathy
Spinal Cord Diseases
Spine