title: Two-level ligamentum flavum hematoma in the lumbar spine. Case report.
abstract: Ligamentum flavum hematoma is a rare cause of spinal root or cord compression that usually occurs at a single level. No case of multiple-level ligamentum flavum hematoma has previously been reported. We report an extremely rare case of double, contiguous ligamentum flavum hematomas in the lumbar spine. A 71-year-old man with hypertension and degenerative lumbar scoliosis presented with pain and muscle weakness in the left lower extremity after physical exertion. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine showed severe spinal stenosis caused by two-level ligamentum flavum hematoma (L3-L4 and L4-L5). Both hematomas were completely removed and the diagnosis was histologically confirmed. Symptoms completely resolved after surgery. Despite being extremely rare, ligamentum flavum hematoma with involvement of multiple levels may be observed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Department of Neuro and Locomotor Science, Akita University School of Medicine, Japan. miyakosh@doc.med.akita-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Naohisa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Miyakoshi
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kasukawa
authors.forename: Shigeru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ando
authors.forename: Yoichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shimada
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006406:Hematoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D017843:Ligamentum Flavum; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery