Operative treatment of long segment of ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament of thoracic spine

Abstract

[Objective]To evaluate the effect of removal of posterial wall of spinal canal on long segment of ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of thoracic spine.[Methods]From June 2005 to October 2010,10 patients with long segment of thoracic OPLL were treated with removal of posterior wall of spinal canal.Six cases were combined with thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum (OLF).[Results]Ten cases were followed-up.The mean follow-up period was 28 months(ranging from 3 months to 4 years).Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage occured in 1 case,and the case was cured conservatively.According to the modified JOA scores,1 case was unchanged,9 cases achieved neural improvement,the mean improvement rate was 72.1％ (37.5％-100％).[Conclusions]It is frequent that thoracic OPLL combined with OLF,and the clinical features are very complex.Removal of posterior wall of spinal canal is safe,effective and feasible to treat long segment of thoracic OPLL. Key words: Thoracic vertebrae ; Ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament ; Removal of posterior wall of spinal canal ;