title: Ossification of the posterior atlantoaxial membrane and the transverse atlantal ligament.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Surgery Division, Yokohama Rosai Hospital, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, Japan. nshoda@tmgh.metro.tokyo.jp
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shoda
authors.forename: Yorito
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Anamizu
authors.forename: Naoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yonezawa
authors.forename: Hideaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ishibashi
authors.forename: Seizo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
mesh_terms: 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