title: Spinal cord and cauda equina compression in 'DISH'.
abstract: Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) has long been regarded as a benign asymptomatic clinical entity with an innocuous clinical course. Precise information is lacking in the world literature. Authors report the results of a retrospective analysis of 74 cases of DISH. Eleven patients presented with progressive spinal cord or cauda equina compression. In nine cases ossified posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and in two cases ossified ligamentum flavum (OLF) were primarily responsible. Surgically treated patients (eight) had far better outcome as compared to the patients managed conservatively, as they had refused surgery. 'DISH' is neither a benign condition, nor it always runs a innocuous clinical course. In fact, in about 15% of the cases, serious neurological manifestations occur, which may require a major neurosurgical intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The National Neurosurgical Centre, Khoula Hospital, Mina-Al-Fahal, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mahapatra
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Pawar
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Lad
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Athale
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002420:Cauda Equina; D006801:Humans; D004057:Hyperostosis, Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal / Q000150:complications*; D017843:Ligamentum Flavum; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000209:etiology*; D017887:Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament / Q000209:etiology; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology*