Thoracic myelopathy due to calcification of the ligamentum flavum with hyperproteinorachia and responsive to steroid therapy: case report.
Calcification and ossification of the ligamentum flavum or of the posterior longitudinal ligament are causes of compressive myelopathy, more frequent in the lower thoracic levels, and extremely rare in Western populations. Surgical decompression is the only therapy, but the disease is usually progressive, and its recurrence after surgery is common. Inflammatory mediators might play a role in the progression of compressive myelopathy, but, to our knowledge, the therapeutic approach involving anti-inflammatory agents has never been tried before. We report a case of compressive myelopathy due to calcification of the ligamentum flavum, in which hyperproteinorachia and response to steroid therapy have been observed. Those data have not been published before and might provide new ideas for the disease understanding.
Hospital Governador Celso Ramos.
Flávia Yuri
FY
Shiguematsu
Elaine Cristina Caon
EC
de Souza
Adriana Fontes
AF
Zimmermann
Gláucio Ricardo Werner
GR
Castro
Ivânio Alves
IA
Pereira
Fabricio Souza
FS
Neves
D002114:Calcinosis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000150:complications*; D002556:Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D017843:Ligamentum Flavum; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae
D002556:Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008775:Methylprednisolone