CERVICAL MYELOPATHY DUE TO OSSIFICATION O F THE POSTERIOR LONGITUDINAL LIGAMENT - REPORT OF ONE CASE

Progressive cervical myelopathy due to an ossification of the posterio r longitudinal ligament (OPLL) appeared in a sicilian women. Diagnosis was made by lateral conventional tomograms and CT Scan with mielograp hy. Corporectomy of the 5th vertebra and ablation of the ligament dram atically improved the clinical symptoms. If OPLL seems a common cause of cervical myelopathy in Japan, it is very rare in Caucasian people. Instead of the origin of the patients, progressive tetraparesis of the 60 years old people is the usual presentation of this affection. The cause of OPLL remains unknown : genetic factors, vitamin A, associatio n with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, calcium metabolism ab normalities are discussed. As far as surgical treatment is concerned, choice between anterior and posterior decompression is clarified on th e basis of the type and the extension of OPLL.