CALCIFICATION OF LUMBAR LIGAMENTUM-FLAVUM AND FACET JOINTS CAPSULE

Study Design. The incidence of calcification in ligamentum flavum and posterior capsule demonstrated by computed tomography was reviewed in a series of 147 patients in whom 419 lumbar levels were studied. Objec tives. To find a relationship between mechanical lumbar pathology and the calcification of the ligamentum flavum and posterior capsule. Summ ary of Background Data. Calcification of the ligamentum flavum and pos terior capsule has been found in diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperosto sis and in metabolic disorders. Although this Fact is considered a man ifestation of degenerative disease of the spine, it barely has been st udied, and many questions remain unresolved. Methods. Calcifications w ere classified according to location as follows: 1) ligamentum flavum: upper attachment, lateral or capsular extension, caudal attachment, i nterlaminar portion or 2) posterior capsule. Results. The following st atistical associations were found: 1) degenerative facet joint disease with posterior capsule and lateral or capsular extension calcificatio ns, 2) lumbarized vertebra with lateral or capsular extension and uppe r attachment calcifications, and 3) isthmic spondylolisthesis with lat eral or capsular extension calcification.