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Updated: Apr 5, 2026

Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Chronic Spinal Cord Compression
Published on: May 7, 2019
Clinics in diagnostic imaging (161). Cervical OPLL with cord compression
Wen Qi Tan1, Bak Siew Steven Wong2
1Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.
Abstract:
A 53-year-old man presented with acute cervical myelopathy following a fall. Cervical radiography and computed tomography showed ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) from C2 to C6 level, with severe cervical canal stenosis and cord compression. Magnetic resonance imaging further showed increased T2-weighted signal in the spinal cord at the level of greatest central spinal canal stenosis. OPLL is a significant cause of myelopathy in Asian populations and is found in up to 25% of patients presenting with cervical compression myelopathy. The clinical presentation, radiological evaluation and management of OPLL are discussed.
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