title: Ossification of the cervical anterior longitudinal ligament contributing to dysphagia. Case report.
abstract: The authors evaluated the clinical, radiological, and surgical management of ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament (OALL) that contributed to dysphagia in a patient with simultaneous cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). A 57-year-old man presented with increasing dysphagia and moderate myelopathy. Imaging studies, including esophagoscopy, revealed marked esophageal compression due to OALL that extended between the C2-5 levels and significant C5-7 OPLL that compressed the distal cervical spinal cord. The use of rongeurs and a high-speed drill facilitated excision of the C2-5 OALL mass, and a routine anterior corpectomy with fusion was performed at the C5-7 level. Postoperatively, the patient's dysphagia and symptoms of myelopathy immediately resolved. The strut graft became fully fused 3 months postoperatively, as demonstrated on dynamic x-ray films, and the patient has remained asymptomatic 4 months postoperatively. Patients with dysphagia and coexisting myelopathy benefit from simultaneous surgery for resection of OALL and OPLL masses.
authors: Department of Surgery (Neurosurgery), North Shore University Hospital-New York University Medical Center, Manhasset, USA.
authors: N E
authors: NE
authors: Epstein
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Hollingsworth
mesh_terms: D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D017846:Longitudinal Ligaments / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography