Ossification of the posterior atlantoaxial membrane and the transverse atlantal ligament.
METHODS
Case report.


OBJECTIVE
To report a case of ossification of the posterior atlantoaxial membrane (PAAM) and ossification of the transverse ligament of the atlas (TAL).


BACKGROUND
Ossification of the PAAM and TAL are both very rare clinical entities. This is the first case involving ossification of both the PAAM and TAL with the development of cervical myelopathy.


METHODS
Patient's history, physical examination, radiographic evaluation, surgical treatment, and outcome are examined. Relevant literature is also reviewed.


RESULTS
The patient's neurological symptoms significantly improved after posterior decompressive surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Ossification of various parts of the spinal ligament have been reported previously. Among them, ossification of both the PAAM and TAL has never been reported previously and is thus extremely rare. Surgical intervention improved the neurological impairment.
Shoda
Naoki
N
Orthopaedic Surgery Division, Yokohama Rosai Hospital, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, Japan. nshoda@tmgh.metro.tokyo.jp
Anamizu
Yorito
Y
Yonezawa
Naoko
N
Ishibashi
Hideaki
H
Yamamoto
Seizo
S
D000368:Aged; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D017887:Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome