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http://dx.doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2015.58.2.112

Prevalence, Distribution, and Significance of Incidental Thoracic Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum in Korean Patients with Back or Leg Pain : MR-Based Cross Sectional Study  

Moon, Bong Ju (Department of Neurosurgery, Chonnam National University Hospital and Medical School)
Kuh, Sung Uk (Department of Neurosurgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, The Spinal and Spinal Cord Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine)
Kim, Sungjun (Department of Radiology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine)
Kim, Keun Su (Department of Neurosurgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, The Spinal and Spinal Cord Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine)
Cho, Yong Eun (Department of Neurosurgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, The Spinal and Spinal Cord Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine)
Chin, Dong Kyu (Department of Neurosurgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, The Spinal and Spinal Cord Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine)
Publication Information
Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society / v.58, no.2, 2015 , pp. 112-118 More about this Journal
Abstract
Objective : Thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) is a relatively rare disease. Because of ambiguous clinical symptom, it is difficult for early diagnosis of OLF and subsequent treatment can be delayed or missed. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to comprehensively assess the prevalence and distribution of thoracic OLF by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and coexisting spinal disease in Korean patients with back pain or leg pain. Methods : The sample included 2134 Korean patients who underwent MRI evaluation for back pain. The prevalence and distribution of thoracic OLF were assessed using lumbar MRI with whole spine sagittal images. Additionally, we examined the presence of coexisting lumbar and cervical diseases. The presence of thoracic OLF as well as clinical parameters such as age, sex, and surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Results : The prevalence of thoracic OLF in total patients was 16.9% (360/2134). The prevalence tended to increase with aging and was higher in women than in men. The lower thoracic segment of T10-11 was the most frequently affected segment. Of the 360 patients with OLF, 31.9% had coexisting herniated thoracic discs at the same level. Approximately 74% of the patients with OLF had coexisting lumbar and cervical disease. Nine (2.5%) of 360 OLF patients underwent surgery for thoracic lesion. Conclusion : The prevalenceof thoracic OLF was relatively higher than those of previous reports. And coexisting lumbar and cervical disease were very frequent. Therefore, we should check coexisting spinal diseases and the exact diagnostic localization of ossification besides lumbar disease.
Keywords
Ossification; Ligamentum flavum; Yellow ligament; Prevalence; Thoracic spine; Lumbar disease;
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