title: Severe cervical stenosis due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament without neurological manifestations ("silent OPLL").
abstract: We report a case of severe cervical spinal stenosis due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) whose clinical examination showed no symptoms or signs of neurological damage ("silent OPLL"). Questions about the diagnosis and the treatment of silent OPLL are discussed in the light of published data.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Merlini
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Granata
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Albisinni
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Marini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giannini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dominici
mesh_terms: D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*