胸椎黄韧带骨化症的诊断和治疗

目的探讨胸椎黄韧带骨化症的诊断特点及改良手术的疗效。方法总结我院1995年至2002年收治的胸椎黄韧带骨化症病人并对手术疗效加以分析。结果16例病例，随访6～36个月，平均22个月。术后JOA评分为6～11分，平均9．5分，恢复率为73．9％，优良率为83．5％。结论临床表现结合CT及MRI检查是诊断胸椎管狭窄的有效手段，改良的外科技术较为安全可靠，手术疗效佳。     

胸椎黄韧带骨化症的手术治疗

目的探讨胸椎黄韧带骨化症的手术治疗方法。方法回顾分析2002年1月至2008年1月我院36例胸椎黄韧带骨化症手术治疗的病例。患者均采用胸椎管后壁切除术治疗。根据日本矫形外科学会（JOA,11分）评分标准进行术前和术后的疗效评价。结果36例患者获得6～72个月随访．平均随访时间19个月。术后平均改善率66．7％,优18例,良10例,改善8例．优良率77．8％。结论胸椎黄韧带骨化症可压迫脊髓出现神经系统症状,应尽早手术治疗．根据患者病情和影像学表现．明确胸椎黄韧带骨化部位和范围,采用胸椎管后壁切除术可获得满意的疗效。     

胸椎黄韧带骨化症的手术治疗

目的探讨胸椎黄韧带骨化症的手术治疗效果。方法同顾性分析8例胸椎黄韧带骨化症患者的临床表现、影像学特征和手术治疗效果。结果全部病例经术后随访7个月～8年，手术优良率为75％（6／8）：结论手术治疗胸椎黄韧带骨化症疗效满意。     

胸椎黄韧带骨化症的诊断及外科治疗

目的探讨胸椎黄韧带骨化症的诊断特点及改良手术方法的疗效。方法14例胸椎黄韧带骨化症患者,临床主要表现为肢体麻木、感觉异常(13例),下肢无力、行走困难(11例),锥体束征阳性(12例),括约肌功能障碍(10例)。经X线初步筛查,MRI联合CT或CTM证实手术切除黄韧带骨化灶41个节段。该病常见于中下胸椎,其中T894个节段,T91010个节段,T101111个节段,T11125个节段。经后路骨化灶头尾侧“开窗”,两侧“截桥”的整体“漂浮”技术,去除骨化的黄韧带。按JOA评分及Hirabayashi恢复率评价手术效果,术前JOA评分1～8分,平均4.1分。结果14例随访6～57个月,平均23个月。术后JOA评分5～11分,平均9.4分,恢复率为76.8%优良率85.6%。手术中平均失血370ml,手术时间175min,所有病例均恢复自主活动。结论临床表现结合MRI和CT或CTM检查,是诊断黄韧带骨化症的重要手段,改良外科手术技术较为安全可靠,术后疗效满意。     

胸椎黄韧带骨化症的诊断与治疗

目的总结胸椎黄韧带骨化症（TOLF）的临床特点，手术方法及疗效，提高治疗效果。方法回顾性分析37例经过手术治疗的胸椎黄韧带骨化症患者的临床资料，其中30例行后路半关节突全椎板切除减压术，7例行后路半关节突全椎板切除加前路经胸腔侧前方椎管减压椎间盘切除及植骨融合内固定术。结果37例患者全部获得随访，随访时间6～78个月，平均38个月，疗效参照Epstein标准，优21例、良10例、改善5例、差1例。优良率83．78％。结论胸椎黄韧带骨化症一旦确诊，尽快手术治疗是唯一选择，手术可获得满意的疗效，手术疗效与脊髓损伤程度和病程长短有关。     

胸椎黄韧带骨化症的手术治疗

目的：对胸椎黄韧带骨化症诊断及手术治疗方法的探讨。方法：9例胸椎黄韧带骨化症患，均进行手术切除，其中累及T3、4 4个节段，T10、11 6个节段，T11、12 8个节段，主要表现为下肢麻木无力，感觉异常，胸腹部束带感。经后路切除椎板及骨化灶。结果：9例随访1～49个月，平均19个月，术后优良率66．6％，1例无改善，2例加重。结论：手术是胸椎黄韧带骨化症治疗的重要手段。     

胸椎黄韧带骨化症的外科治疗

[目的]探讨胸椎黄韧带骨化症的手术方法和治疗效果。[方法]回顾性分析10例胸椎黄韧带骨化症患者的临床表现、影像学特征，手术经后路在病变的头侧和尾侧寻找宽松点，用枪式咬骨钳开始减压，逐渐向病变严重处会师，用气动高速磨钻将骨化黄韧带磨薄分割切除。[结果]全部病例经术后随访6个月-8a，手术优良率为80％（8／10）。[结论]改良的手术方法治疗胸椎黄韧带骨化症较为安全，疗效满意。     

手术治疗胸椎黄韧带骨化症的疗效分析

目的探讨手术治疗胸椎黄韧带骨化症的方法和疗效。方法我院自2006年1月至2008年11月对12例胸椎黄韧带骨化症患者进行手术治疗,均采用胸椎管后壁切除术治疗,根据日本矫形外科学会JOA评分标准进行术前和术后的疗效评价。结果12例患者术后均获得6-24个月随访,平均随访时间15个月。术后优8例,良2例,改善2例,优良率83.3%。结论胸椎黄韧带骨化症可压迫脊髓出现神经系统症状,应尽早手术治疗。术前根据患者病情和影像学表现,明确胸椎黄韧带骨化部位和范围,采用手术胸椎管后壁切除术可获得满意的疗效。     

24例胸椎黄韧带骨化症的手术治疗效果观察

[目的]探讨胸椎黄韧带骨化症的手术治疗效果。[方法]回顾性分析自2004年1月～2008年1月采用半关节突全椎板切除术手术方法治疗胸椎黄韧带骨化症24例,男15例,女9例;年龄42～72岁(56±13)岁。根据JOA评分标准进行术前和术后的疗效评价。[结果]24例患者获得6～56个月随访,平均随访时间28个月。术后优16例,良4例,改善4例,优良率83.3%。[结论]胸椎黄韧带骨化症可压迫脊髓出现神经系统症状,应尽早手术治疗,半关节突全椎板切除减压是胸椎黄韧带骨化症目前较好的手术方式,术中彻底减压和实时的脊髓保护是手术取得成功的关键。     

手术治疗胸椎黄韧带骨化症的疗效及其影响因素

目的：探讨胸椎黄韧带骨化症手术治疗的疗效及其影响因素。方法：回顾性总结1986年1月至2003年4月我院采用“揭盖式”胸椎管后壁切除术治疗的135例胸椎黄韧带骨化症患者的资料，随访术后脊髓功能恢复情况，分析患者年龄、术前病程、手术节段与部位、影像学分型及JOA评分等与疗效的关系。结果：135例中82例获得随访，随访率60．7％，平均随访时间5年6个月（2-14年），术后优良率74.4％，有效率92．7％；68．4％的患者在术后2年内恢复停滞，26．3％的患者主诉术后2～5年仍有缓慢恢复；患者的术前病程、年龄、手术节段对术后疗效有显著影响（P〈0．05）；手术节段累及胸腰段者术后疗效较局限于中上胸椎者差。结论：“揭盖式”椎管后壁切除术是治疗胸椎黄韧带骨化症可靠、有效的手术方式。患者术前病程、年龄及手术部位是影响手术疗效的主要因素。     

Spinal cord compression caused by unusual location and extension of ossified ligamenta flava in a Caucasian male. A case report and literature review

STUDY DESIGN: A case report of a spinal cord compression caused by ossification of the ligamenta flava is presented together with a review of the literature. OBJECTIVE: To present the diagnosis of ossification of the ligamenta flava in a Caucasian man with a proximal thoracic myelopathy. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: This case shows that the upper parts of the thoracic spine can be involved in ossification of the ligamenta flava, which never before has been reported in Caucasian individuals. Furthermore, it is advised that computed tomography scanning and magnetic resonance imaging be combined to provide an accurate diagnosis and proper preoperative evaluation of the bony changes, spinal cord, and compression of the spinal cord. METHODS: A patient with a thoracic spinal cord compression caused by ossification of the ligamenta flava was treated surgically and made a good clinical recovery. Imaging studies, surgical findings, and results of histopathologic investigations were analyzed to substantiate the diagnosis. RESULTS: The results of the surgical findings seemed to be in contrast with those of the imaging studies. This contrast was occasioned by the uncommon perioperative finding of a fusion of the completely ossified upper and lower parts of the involved adjacent ligamenta flava. Ossification of the ligamenta flava was diagnosed by histopathologic examination, which revealed endochondral ossification and lamellar bone formation without fragments of ligamenta flava. CONCLUSION: Although rarely reported in whites, ossification of the ligamenta flava should be considered in all patients presenting with a spinal cord compression, even at high thoracic levels. The prognosis after decompressive surgery can be good, especially if intramedullary hyperintensities are absent on preoperatively performed T2-weighted magnetic resonance images.     

Ossification of the proximal thoracic ligamenta flava causing acute myelopathy in a Caucasian: case report and literature review

STUDY DESIGN: Case report and literature review. OBJECTIVE: To illustrate that ossification of the proximal thoracic ligamenta flava can be a rare cause of acute myelopathy in a Caucasian patient and that timely surgery can lead to a good outcome. SETTING: Nottingham, UK. METHODS: Proximal multiple contiguous ossified thoracic ligamenta flava from T3/T4 to T5/T6 causing acute myelopathy was diagnosed in a Caucasian man based on history and examination followed by magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scanning. The literature is reviewed for all reported cases of ossified ligamenta flava causing myelopathy in Caucasians. RESULTS: Following prompt diagnosis and T3 to T5 laminectomies, our patient made near-complete neurological recovery over a 10-month period. This condition usually affects the lower thoracic spine. Although chronic and subacute myelopathy secondary to this circumstance has been reported in Caucasians, acute myelopathy has not been reported and proximal thoracic involvement has been reported twice. CONCLUSION: Ossification of the proximal thoracic ligamenta flava can be a rare cause of acute myelopathy in Caucasians. Prognosis following decompressive surgery is usually good.     

对颈椎间盘突出症的再认识

报告经ＣＴ、ＭＲＩ及手术证实的颈椎间盘突出症２７例，着重讨论了颈椎间盘突出症与颈椎病的关系，认为颈椎间盘退变是两者的共同病理基础。颈椎间盘突出不仅是单纯的髓核突出，晚期还可伴有骨赘增生、椎管狭窄、ＯＰＬＬ等改变。作者认为，凡是与颈椎间盘突出有关的颈椎病变都应归入颈椎间盘突出症的范畴。同时对颈椎间盘突出的诊断亦作了详细讨论     

胸椎黄韧带骨化症的CT分型及手术方式选择

目的:探讨胸椎黄韧带骨化症的CT分型及手术治疗方法.方法:1997年1月至2006年12月手术治疗胸椎黄韧带骨化症患者48例102个节段,根据CT表现分为3型,单侧型18个节段,双侧型45个节段,两侧融合型39个节段.单侧型将椎板、关节突内侧和未骨化处磨薄,再把骨化物对侧和头尾侧充分减压使其孤立,用枪状咬钳将关节突内侧磨薄处咬开使其游离,齿镊夹住骨块轻提起由中间向外侧剥离摘除骨块;双侧型将椎板、关节突内侧和未骨化处磨薄,先将骨化物头尾侧充分减压,将中间未骨化黄韧带咬除分隔,使两侧骨化物孤立,再按单侧型手术方法逐块处理;两侧融合型将椎板、关节突内侧和未骨化处磨薄,先将骨化物头尾侧充分减压,从对侧关节突内侧磨薄处咬开使骨化物孤立,再将术侧关节突内侧磨薄处咬开使骨化物游离,齿镊夹住骨块轻提起由对侧向术者侧剥离摘除骨块.术前术后采用改良JOA下肢运动功能评分评价运动功能.结果:全部患者顺利完成手术.手术时间平均2.8h,出血量平均290ml.术后无症状加重病例,1例出现脑脊液漏,经保守治疗后痊愈.40例患者随访5～62个月,平均28个月,JOA下肢运动功能评分术前1.8±1.1分,末次随访时为3.7±0.6分,与术前比较差异有显著性(P<0.01).疗效按JOA评分改善率优32例,良6例,可2例,优良率为95%.结论:对胸椎黄韧带骨化症患者根据CT分型采取不同的手术方式可取得满意的治疗效果.     

Long-term results of double-door laminoplasty for cervical stenotic myelopathy

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study of the long-term results from double-door laminoplasty (Kurokawa's method) for patients with myelopathy caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and cervical spondylosis was performed. OBJECTIVE: To know whether the short-term results from double-door laminoplasty were maintained over a 10-year period and, if not, the cause of late deterioration. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There are few long-term follow-up studies on the outcome of laminoplasty for cervical stenotic myelopathy. METHODS: In this study, 35 patients with cervical myelopathy caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the cervical spine and 25 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy, including 5 patients with athetoid cerebral palsy, underwent double-door laminoplasty from 1980 through 1988 and were followed over the next 10 years. The average follow-up period was 153 months (range, 120-200 months) in patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and 156 months (range, 121-218 months) in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Neurologic deficits before and after surgery were assessed using a scoring system proposed by the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA score). Patients who showed late deterioration received further examination including computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine. RESULTS: In 32 of the patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and 23 of the patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy, myelopathy improved after surgery. The improvement of Japanese Orthopedic Association scores was maintained up to the final follow-up assessment in 26 of the patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and 21 of the patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Late neurologic deterioration occurred in 10 of the patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament an average of 8 years after surgery, and in 4 of the patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy, including the 3 patients with athetoid cerebral palsy, an average of 11 years after surgery. The main causes of deterioration in patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament were a minor trauma in patients with residual cervical cord compression caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and thoracic myelopathy resulting from ossification of the yellow ligament in the thoracic spine. CONCLUSIONS: The short-term results of laminoplasty for cervical stenotic myelopathy were maintained over 10years in 78% of the patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, and in most of the patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy, except those with athetoid cerebral palsy. Double-door laminoplasty is a reliable procedure for individuals with cervical stenotic myelopathy.     

Myelopathy due to calcification of the cervical ligamenta flava: a report of two cases in West Indian patients

Two cases of cervical myelopathy due to calcification of the ligamenta flava (CLF) are described for the first time in black patients from the French West Indies. A pre-operative CT scan differentiated the diagnosis from one of ossification of the ligamenta flava. Microanalysis on the operatively excised specimen in one patient revealed a mixture of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals and hydroxypatite crystals. Poor outcome in one patient contrasting with excellent recovery in the other one, who had undergone posterior decompressive laminectomy, emphasizes the importance of surgery in the management of CLF. Received: 31 July 1998 Revised: 10 December 1998 Accepted: 11 January 1999     

Changes in basic metabolic elements associated with the degeneration and ossification of ligamenta flava

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between levels of basic metabolic elements and degeneration and ossification of the ligamentum flavum (LF). SUBJECTS: Fourteen consecutive patients with degenerative lumbar stenosis, 11 with ossification of the thoracic ligamenta flava, and 11 control subjects. METHODS: The basic elements of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), and fluoride (F) in the specimens were measured using atomic absorption spectrometry, the phosphomolybdic blue method, and a fluoride-selected electrode. RESULTS: Ca content and the ratio of Ca/Mg in the LF specimens increased significantly in the sequence of control, degeneration, and ossification groups. Compared with values for the control group, the Zn, Mn, and Mo contents in the ossification and degeneration groups were significantly lower (P < 0.01); in contrast, Cu content was significantly higher (P < 0.01). As to F, its content in the specimens of the ossification group was much higher than those in the degeneration and control groups (P < 0.01); the F content in the ligamenta flava and sera from patients with fluorosis was also significantly higher than in those from patients without fluorosis (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, there were no differences in the F content in serum from patients without fluorosis; however, the F content in ligamenta flava specimens from patients without fluorosis was significantly higher (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: There are trends in the contents of basic metabolic elements in the degeneration and ossification of ligamenta flava. These basic metabolic elements may play an important role in this process.     

DISCOVER人工颈椎间盘置换在颈椎病治疗中的初期疗效观察

目的 探讨应用DISCOVER人工颈椎间盘置换治疗颈椎病的短期临床疗效.方法 采用DISCOVER人工颈椎间盘置换术治疗颈椎病患者12例,其中脊髓型8例,神经根型4例.统计并分析患者术前和术后1、6个月及末次随访时颈椎运动范围、置换节段活动度、相邻节段活动度进行影像学评估,术前及末次随访时NDI脊髓功能评分及颈部疼痛及...     

Ossification of ligamentum flavum unmasked by acute paraplegia

A 30-year-old black man presented sudden-onset paraplegia during a foot-ball match, after a movement of hyperextension of the trunk. Moreover, the patient exhibited an hypoesthesia below the T11 level, with sphincter disturbances. The MRI and the CT-scan showed a stenosis of the spinal canal related to an ossification of hypertrophied ligamenta flava from T10 to T12. Intramedullary abnormal signals on MRI images were compatible with a spinal cord hemorrhage. A laminectomy with removal of abnormal ligamenta flava was carried out, and their endochondral ossification was confirmed by pathological examination. Two months later, the patient was able to walk alone and exhibited a mild spasticity associated to sensory disturbances of lower limbs. Ossification of ligamenta flava is usually observed in Japanese patients, sometimes in Caucasians, more rarely in black people. Its mechanism is unclear except when associated with metabolic or endocrine diseases. The patients usually present with clinical features of chronic spinal cord compression. Our case seems to be the first one disclosed by an acute spinal cord injury on ossified ligamenta flava. In this patient, because of remaining adjacent ossified ligamenta flava and the development on postoperative MRI of an intramedullary cavity, a long-term clinical and radiological follow-up is particularly necessary.