Ossification of the ligamentum flavum in a Caucasian. Case report

There have been few reports of ossification of the yellow ligaments causing spinal cord compression in Caucasian population. This disease is described mainly in Japanese patients and is termed as "Japanese disease". We describe the case of a 58-year-old Caucasian male with progressive paraparesis. Radiographic features were suggestive of ossification of the yellow ligaments in the lower thoracic level causing spinal cord compression. Early decompressive laminectomy and removal of the ossified ligament resulted in a marked clinical improvement. The etiological hypothesis, epidemiological, histological, clinical and radiological features of this disease are reviewed.