Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament mimicking cord compression from a dorsal disc protrusion: a cautionary tale.
A patient with focal anterior compression of the dorsal cord at the level of the D6/7 disc was mistakenly diagnosed as a dorsal disc protrusion on the basis of CT myelography. The CT scanning had been confined to axial views at the level of the cord compression. A transthoracic exploration failed to reveal a disc protrusion and the correct diagnosis, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, was only revealed by a subsequent sagittal CT scan. This case emphasizes the dangers of relying on limited axial imaging in diagnosing a spinal lesion.
Maurice-Williams
R S
RS
Royal Free Hospital and School of Medicine, London, UK.
Kitchen
N D
ND
D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D017846:Longitudinal Ligaments / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009192:Myelography; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed