Calcification of the ligamentum flavum in the thoracolumbar spine: an unusual cause of compressive myelopathy

Authors

  • João Augusto dos Santos Martines Hospital Universitário - Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo/SP - Brazil.
  • Brenda Margatho Ramos Martines Hospital Universitário - Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo/SP - Brazil.
  • Cláudio Campi de Castro Hospital Universitário - Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo/SP - Brazil.
  • José de Arimatéia Batista Araújo Filho Hospital das Clínicas - Faculdade de Medicina - Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo/SP - Brazil.
  • Lorena Elaine Amorim Pinto Hospital das Clínicas - Faculdade de Medicina - Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo/SP - Brazil.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4322/acr.%25y.36459

Keywords:

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, Spine, Ligamentum flavum, Spinal cord compression.

Abstract

The focal calcification or ossification of the ligamentum flavum is a rare cause of thoracic myelopathy and most often occurs among individuals of Japanese descent. It is rare in other ethnic groups and in individuals below the age of 50.
It is most often described at the lower thoracic level, being uncommon in the lumbar region and rare in the cervical region. Here, we present the case of a 44-year-old White female patient who sought medical attention with an eightmonth
history of paraesthesia of the lower limbs and progressive difficulty in walking. The clinical profile, together with computed tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of the spine, led to a diagnosis of compressive thoracic myelopathy due to ossification of the ligamentum flavum in the thoracic
and lumbar spine. The patient underwent laminectomy and dissection of some of the affected ligamentum flavum, without any intraoperative complications.
After three months of clinical follow-up, the patient had progressed favorably, having no sensory complaints and again becoming ambulatory.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

  • João Augusto dos Santos Martines, Hospital Universitário - Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo/SP - Brazil.
    Diagnostic Imaging Service - Hospital Universitário - Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo/SP - Brazil.
  • Brenda Margatho Ramos Martines, Hospital Universitário - Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo/SP - Brazil.
    Diagnostic Imaging Service - Hospital Universitário - Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo/SP - Brazil.
  • Cláudio Campi de Castro, Hospital Universitário - Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo/SP - Brazil.

    Diagnostic Imaging Service - Hospital Universitário - Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo/SP - Brazil.

    Department of Radiology - Faculdade de Medicina - Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo/SP - Brazil.

  • José de Arimatéia Batista Araújo Filho, Hospital das Clínicas - Faculdade de Medicina - Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo/SP - Brazil.
    Heart Institute - Hospital das Clínicas - Faculdade de Medicina - Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo/SP - Brazil.
  • Lorena Elaine Amorim Pinto, Hospital das Clínicas - Faculdade de Medicina - Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo/SP - Brazil.
    Heart Institute - Hospital das Clínicas - Faculdade de Medicina - Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo/SP - Brazil.

Downloads

Published

2012-06-08

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2012)

Section

Article / Clinical Case Report

License

Authors of articles published by Autopsy and Case Report retain the copyright of their work without restrictions, licensing it under the Creative Commons Attribution License - CC-BY, which allows articles to be re-used and re-distributed without restriction, as long as the original work is correctly cited.

How to Cite

Martines, J. A. dos S., Martines, B. M. R., de Castro, C. C., Filho, J. de A. B. A., & Pinto, L. E. A. (2012). Calcification of the ligamentum flavum in the thoracolumbar spine: an unusual cause of compressive myelopathy. Autopsy and Case Reports, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.4322/acr.%y.36459