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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2001; 05(2): 083-088
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-15657
Copyright © 2001 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament and Ligamentum Flavum: Imaging Features

Toshinori Hirai1 , Yukunori Korogi2 , Mutsumasa Takahashi2 , Osamu Shimomura3
  • 1Department of Radiology, Amakusa Medical Center, Kumamoto, Japan
  • 2Department of Radiology, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, Kumamoto, Japan
  • 3Department of Radiology, Kumamoto Orthopedic Hospital, Kumamoto, Japan
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2001 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Ossifications of the posterior longitudinal ligament and ligamentum flavum are both special subcategories of degenerative diseases responsible for compression of the spinal cord. Ossification of the ligaments is well demonstrated by plain radiography and computed tomography. Magnetic resonance imaging noninvasively provides useful information about the degree and extent of spinal cord compression as well as the character of the ossification. T2-weighted sequences are most effective to evaluate both spinal cord compression due to the ossification and abnormal signal intensity of the spinal cord.

KEYWORD

Ligaments - magnetic resonance studies - spinal cord - compression - spine

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