Compressive Myelopathy Due to Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) is a rare condition in which the ligamentum flavum, due to mechanical, biological and genetic factors, becomes ossified. Due to its nature and anatomic location, OLF produces symptoms characteristic of spinal cord compression. The diagnostic confirmation is based primarily on imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ossification of the ligamentum flavum most often affects Asian populations, rarely occurring in black people. The authors report a case of a 61-year-old black man with progressive paraparesis due to OLF, and review the literature regarding the pathology's prevalence, pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.

Resumo

A ossificação do ligamento flavo (OLF) é uma doença rara na qual o ligamento flavo se torna ossificado devido a fatores mecânicos, biológicos e genéticos. Devido à sua natureza e localização anatômica, a OLF produz sintomas característicos de compressão da medula espinhal. A confirmação diagnóstica baseia-se principalmente em exames de imagem, como tomografia computadorizada (TC) e ressonância magnética (RM). A OLF afeta mais comumente populações asiáticas, raramente sendo observada em pacientes negros. Os autores relatam o caso de um homem negro de 61 anos com paraparesia progressiva decorrente de OLF com uma revisão da literatura a respeito da prevalência, patogênese, aspectos clínicos, diagnóstico, tratamento e prognóstico desta patologia.

Keywords

ossification of the ligamentum flavum - myelopathy - paraparesis - ligamentum flavum - laminectomy - thoracic spine

Palavras-chave

ossificação do ligamento flavo - mielopatia - paraparesia - ligamento flavo - laminectomia - coluna torácica

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