Calcification of the ligamentum flavum in the thoracolumbar spine: an unusual cause of compressive myelopathy

Ano: 2012 | Volume: 2 | Número: 2

Autores: J. A. S. Martines, B. M. R. Martines, J. A. B. Araujo Filho, L. E. A. Pinto, C. C. Castro

Palavras-chave: ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament; spine; ligamentum flavum; spinal cord compression.

Resumo Inglês:

The focal calcification or ossification of the ligamentum flavum is a rare cause
of thoracic myelopathy and most often occurs among individuals of Japanese
descent. It is rare in other ethnic groups and in individuals below the age of 50.
It is most often described at the lower thoracic level, being uncommon in the
lumbar region and rare in the cervical region. Here, we present the case of a
44-year-old White female patient who sought medical attention with an eightmonth
history of paraesthesia of the lower limbs and progressive difficulty in
walking. The clinical profile, together with computed tomography and nuclear
magnetic resonance imaging of the spine, led to a diagnosis of compressive
thoracic myelopathy due to ossification of the ligamentum flavum in the thoracic
and lumbar spine. The patient underwent laminectomy and dissection of some
of the affected ligamentum flavum, without any intraoperative complications.
After three months of clinical follow-up, the patient had progressed favorably,
having no sensory complaints and again becoming ambulatory.