Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in Caucasians: diagnosis and surgical intervention

Six cases of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) in Caucasians have been diagnosed during a 2-year period at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Five cases were in men and one was in a woman. Three cases presented as myelopathy and three as radiculopathy. Diagnosis was best confirmed with computer-assisted tomography. All six cases were treated surgically via an anterior approach, microsurgical resection of the OPLL, and autograft fusion. Patients with radiculopathy had immediate pain relief after operation. Those with myelopathy required vertebrectomy and regained strength after operation. All patients improved with operation. OPLL is not a rare condition in Caucasians. With diagnosis and proper surgical intervention, prognosis for improvement is good.