Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.
Two non-Japanese patients with ossification of the cervical posterior longitudinal ligament were described. This abnormality is very common in Japan, but rare in non-Japanese people. The reason is unknown. Although the disease appears to be generally asymptomatic, it can cause a myelopathy. The clinical picture, the diagnostic important X-ray examinations and the histopathological findings are revealed. The similarity to the vascular pattern in the lumbar spine in cases of intermittent neurogenic claudication is noted.
D000368:Aged; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed