Ossification of the ligamentum flavum

We report the case of a 32-year-old South Korean male who presented with bilateral leg weakness, spastic gait and associated sensory loss from below the T5 dermatome. MRI and CT scans of the spine confirmed the presence of calcified ligamentum flavum from T1-T6. A thoracic laminectomy resulted in an excellent post-operative recovery with full return of all functions. This case review will discuss the differences that exist between ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF), but also the similarities at a molecular and possibly at a genetic level. We have reviewed the reported literature of patients presenting with progressive lower limb spacity due to OLF, and an excellent outcome is achieved using decompressive laminectomy.