HISTOLOGICAL-CHANGES IN THE LIGAMENTUM-FL AVUM IN PATIENTS WITH SPINAL STENOSIS

In 21 patients with spinal stenosis the ligamentum flavum was removed, histologically processed and the calcification was measured with an i mage analyzing computer. Nearly all the ligaments were calcified: on a verage 0.17%, with a maximum of 3.8%. There was a significant correlat ion between age and calcification. We compared these findings with tho se of a group of ,,normals''. There we only found minimal calcificatio n in 3 of 20 segments (0.025%, 0.049%, 0.22%). As these people were on average 85 years of age, this can be looked upon as normal degenerati ve changes. This illustrates the important role of calcification of th e ligamentum flavum for spinal stenosis.