title: Skeletal fluorosis causing high cervical myelopathy.
abstract: Skeletal fluorosis is endemic in some parts of the world and is the result of life-long ingestion of high amounts of fluoride in drinking water. Its clinical presentation is characterized mostly by bone and dental changes with later ossification of many ligaments and interosseous membranes. We present a rare case of high cervical myelopathy caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and ligamentum flavum in a patient from an area endemic for skeletal fluorosis. The clinical presentation of skeletal fluorosis and treatment options are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, S.K. Soni Hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
authors.forename: Hrishikesh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boban
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tiwari
mesh_terms: D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005458:Fluoride Poisoning / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007796:Laminectomy; D017843:Ligamentum Flavum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017887:Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome