A Case of Myelopathy due to the Nodular Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum of Thoracic Spine in Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis / 대한류마티스학회지

ABSTRACT

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), also known as Forestier? disease, is an idiopathic rheumatological abnormality in which exuberant ossification occures along ligaments throughout the body, most notably the anterior longitudinal ligament of spine, frequently posterior longitudinal ligament or ligamentum flavum. Ossification of ligamentum flavum (OLF) causes narrowing of spinal canal and cord compression. It has been described almost exclusively in the Japanese, extremely rare in Caucasian and Korean population. The predominant location of symptomatic OLF is at the thoracolumbar junction, particularly at T10-11 followed by T11-12, and rarely in the cervical region. We experienced a case of progressive myelopathy due to the nodular ossification of ligamentum flavum in patient with DISH, who was treated by posterior decompressive laminectomy, removal of the ossified ligamentum flavum. The neurologic status of the patient was improved dramatically after operation.