The Relationship Between Dural Ossification and Spinal Stenosis in Thoracic Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum

Dural ossification represents a difficult problem in the surgical management of thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum. Few studies have focused on this condition because of the relatively low prevalence. We speculated that dural ossification occurs only when spinal stenosis of patients with thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum progresses. Herein, we aimed to determine the relationship between dural ossification and spinal stenosis in thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum.

In this study, 123 consecutive patients with ossification of the ligamentum flavum were retrospectively analyzed. Sixty-seven patients were ultimately included and were divided into a group that had dural ossification and a group that did not have dural ossification. Patient characteristics and radiographic data were recorded. The cross-sectional area occupying ratio ([1 - cross-sectional area of the narrowest level/normal cross-sectional area] × 100%) was measured and was calculated by 3 independent observers, followed by statistical analysis.

The 2 groups were comparable with respect to sex, age, body mass index, and distribution of the segment with maximum compression. The mean cross-sectional area occupying ratio (and standard deviation) in the T9-T12 subgroup in the group with dural ossification (63.4% ± 8.6%) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that in the group without dural ossification (30.7% ± 10.4%). The overall interobserver reliability for measurements of the cross-sectional area occupying ratio (interclass correlation coefficient, 0.976) was excellent. Thus, the cross-sectional area occupying ratio could be used as an indicator to distinguish between patients with ossification of the ligamentum flavum who did and did not have dural ossification, with a high diagnostic value, in the T9-T12 subgroup. A cross-sectional area occupying ratio of >55% (sensitivity of 81.5% and specificity of 100%), the "ossification zone," was indicative of dural ossification in patients with ossification of the ligamentum flavum, whereas a value of <45% (sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 89.7%) was considered safe. Moreover, ratios between 45% and 55% were considered to be in the "gray zone."

The results of this study indicate that the severity of spinal stenosis was significantly associated with dural ossification in ossification of the ligamentum flavum and the cross-sectional area occupying ratio may be used as an indicator of dural ossification in the lower thoracic spine.

The diagnosis of dural ossification was based on the intraoperative evidence, and the results could help spine surgeons to prepare for the surgical procedure.