Neuro-radiology of skeletal fluorosis

Though fluorosis is prevalent in certain geographic parts of the world, it is likely to occur in other parts due to industrial intoxication and also in people with latent kidney disease even when they consume relatively lower amounts of fluoride than in endemic regions. A sizeable number of patients suffering from ossified posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) may have fluoride intoxication as the underlying cause. The clinical, radiologic and pathologic manifestations of OPLL in non-orientals have been reported to be very similar to those in orientals. The question whether all these entities reported from different ecospheres of the globe have common aetiological factors is worthy of further research. Though plain radiology shows the characteristics of fluorosis, CT and MR imaging modalities are very helpful in early diagnosis and also in planning proper surgical intervention.