[Cervical myelopathy caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament]

The clinical material presented by the authors includes 24 observations of patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. In all cases there was a cervical spine injury in the patients', past history. The diagnosis was confirmed roentgenologically and by the method of computer tomography. The treatment is surgical and consists in anterior decompression of the spinal cord. Recovery was observed in 10 patients (42 +/- 10%), partial regress of myelopathy in 9 patients (29 +/- 10%) and discontinuation (12 +/- 6%); there was no effect in 2 patients of progress of the disease in 3 patients (8 +/- 6%) patients. The authors consider it is necessary to make a careful examination of the patients with myelopathy having a cervical spine injury in their past history in order to reveal ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and carry on timely surgical treatment.