OSSIFICATION OF THE LIGAMENTA-FLAVA WITH SEVERE MYELOPATHY IN A BLACKPATIENT - A CASE-REPORT

Study Design. A case of symptomatic ossification of ligamenta flava in a black man from Martinique (French West Indies) is reported. Objecti ves. To show that ossification of ligamenta flava may be observed in r acial groups other than Japanese people and that the postoperative pro gnosis of symptomatic ossification of ligamenta flava is not always ex cellent. Summary of Background Data. Ossification of ligamenta flava c ausing slowly progressive myelopathy or radiculopathy is rare. It usua lly occurs in the lower thoracic spine. Ossification of ligamenta flav a has mainly been described as occurring in Japanese people and very r arely in Caucasians. Diagnosis is based on a computed tomographic scan or magnetic resonance imaging, and postoperative prognosis is usually good. Methods. Low thoracic ossification of ligamenta flava was diagn osed in a black man from Martinique, based on the computed tomographic scan data and on the histopathologic examination of the removed tissu e. The patient was clinically evaluated before and 1 year after the op eration. A postoperative computed tomographic scan was performed. A ma gnetic resonance image was not available in this case. Results. The pa tient exhibited severe subacute myelopathy. After decompression, the n eurologic recovery was incomplete. A postoperative computed tomographi c scan showed complete excision of ossification of ligamenta flava and decompression of the spinal cord. Conclusions. Ossification of ligame nta flava may occur in black people. An incomplete postoperative recov ery may be observed in such cases of unusual subacute compressive myel opathy.