• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.904-909
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• 2000

Objectives : Most cases of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament(OPLL) present with myelopathy or myeloradiculopathy, which sometimes is further complicated by minor trauma to the spinal cord. The main purpose of surgery in these patients is the alleviation symptoms but also as protection against further deterioration. The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of trauma on the surgical outcome in patients with cervical OPLL. Methods : Over the past 13 years, we have operated on 123 patients with myelopathy associated with cevical OPLL. Among these, thirty patients had cervical cord injury associated with major or minor trauma and their clinical and radiographic data were reviewed retrosepctively. Results : As to cause of trauma, seventeen were related with traffic accident and 13 were related with minor slipping injury. The pre- and post-operative motor power were significantly weaker in the patients with trauma, but the degree of motor improvement was significantly higher(trauma group : $0.90{\pm}1.49$, non-trauma group : $0.41{\pm}0.80$). Conclusion : These results indicate that even indirect minor trauma to the cervical spine can cause irreversible changes to the spinal cord if this is associated with underlying cervical stenosis with OPLL. Although less favorable results may be anticipated in patients with trauma, operative decompression could improve motor power and protect further deterioration.