Progressive Relapse of Ligamentum Flavum Ossification Following Decompressive Surgery

• Main Authors: Kei Ando, Shiro Imagama, Zenya Ito, Kazuyoshi Kobayashi, Junichi Ukai, Akio Muramoto, Ryuichi Shinjo, Tomohiro Matsumoto, Hiroaki Nakashima, Naoki Ishiguro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korean Spine Society 2014-12-01
• Series: Asian Spine Journal
• Subjects: Thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum; Progressive relapse
• Online Access: http://www.asianspinejournal.org/upload/pdf/asj-8-835.pdf

Thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum (T-OLF) is a relatively rare spinal disorder that generally requires surgical intervention, due to its progressive nature and the poor response to conservative therapy. The prevalence of OLF has been reported at 3.8%-26%, which is similar to that of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). The progression of OPLL after cervical laminoplasty for the treatment of OPLL is often shown in long-term follow-up. However, there have been no reports on the progression of OLF following surgery. We report a case of thoracic myelopathy secondary to the progressive relapse of OLF following laminectomy.