Ligamentum flavum hematoma in the lumbar spine

A previously healthy 45-year-old woman presented with ligamentum flavum hematoma manifesting as radicular leg pain. Neurological examination findings were consistent with L-5 root compression. An old hematoma inside the degenerated ligamentum flavum was drained. The cyst showed no connection to the facet joint. Complete resection of the mass was performed, resulting in excellent pain relief. The most common cystic lesion in the lumbar spine is synovial cyst associated with the facet joints, but ligamentum flavum hematoma should be included in the differential diagnosis. The preoperative diagnosis can be based on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings of degenerative thickening of the ligamentum flavum associated with a fluid component.     

黄韧带血肿:1例报道及文献综述

黄韧带血肿是一种罕见的椎管内硬膜外血肿,其发病机制尚不清楚,可能是由于轻微的外伤引起退变的黄韧带中增生的小血管破裂出血所致,最早由Sweasey于1992年报道,多见于腰椎,临床症状进行性加重,与椎间盘突出、滑膜囊肿等相似,主要表现为神经、硬膜囊受压的症状.本文报道了1例腰椎黄韧带血肿的病例,并对已发表文献回顾总结.     

Two-level ligamentum flavum hematoma in the lumbar spine. Case report

Ligamentum flavum hematoma is a rare cause of spinal root or cord compression that usually occurs at a single level. No case of multiple-level ligamentum flavum hematoma has previously been reported. We report an extremely rare case of double, contiguous ligamentum flavum hematomas in the lumbar spine. A 71-year-old man with hypertension and degenerative lumbar scoliosis presented with pain and muscle weakness in the left lower extremity after physical exertion. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine showed severe spinal stenosis caused by two-level ligamentum flavum hematoma (L3-L4 and L4-L5). Both hematomas were completely removed and the diagnosis was histologically confirmed. Symptoms completely resolved after surgery. Despite being extremely rare, ligamentum flavum hematoma with involvement of multiple levels may be observed.     

腰椎狭窄软性椎管的应力改变分析

目的 探讨腰椎软性椎管改变与椎管狭窄的关系。方法 在本研究52例中分为椎管狭窄组和对照组，2003年1月至2007年12月，推管狭窄组从因腰椎管狭窄病行后路椎板减压术的患者中取黄韧带标本对照组黄韧带标本共为10例，取自青年腰椎骨折行后路椎板减压术患者，后纵韧带标本共4例取自腰椎爆裂骨折前路椎体减压术患者。分别观察两组标本切片镜下的表现并加以分析。结果 在腰椎管狭窄病组，黄韧带及后纵韧带镜下表现为纤维肥大，基质内可见脂肪及小囊肿；对照组则表现为纤维细胞排列规则、无纤维化表现。结论 腰椎管软性椎管的应力改变及退行性变，是导致腰椎管狭窄的一个因素。     

Microsurgical excision of hematoma of the lumbar ligamentum flavum

Hematoma of the lumbar ligamentum flavum is a very rare cause of sciatica. A 72-year-old man presented with left-sided sciatica and paresthesia of the lateral aspect of his left foot. From CT and MRI findings, he was diagnosed as having a hematoma embedded in the ligamentum flavum, which compressed the dura mater at the L5/S1 disc level. After an adequate surgical field was obtained with a microscope and a Casper retractor, the hematoma of the ligamentum flavum could be excised via a unilateral approach and satisfactory decompression of the cauda equina and nerve roots were obtained.     

Acute hemorrhagic cyst of the ligamentum flavum

STUDY DESIGN: A case report and clinical discussion. OBJECTIVE: To describe a rare complication of a cyst of the ligamentum flavum, which bled spontaneously, provoking an acute lower limb monoparesis and lumbar sciatic pain. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUNDS DATA: Cysts of the ligamentum flavum have been rarely reported. Intraspinal degenerative cysts described in literature are usually juxta-articular (synovial and ganglion) cysts and have a similar radiologic appearance. They are preferentially located in the lumbar spine, while the cervical localization is unusual. Hemorrhage into the cyst is an uncommon complication and an extremely rare cause of nerve root compression. METHODS: A 59-year-old woman presented with sudden severe radicular lumbar deficit and pain secondary to acute hemorrhage into a ligamentum flavum cyst. Magnetic resonance imaging showed at L3-L4 level a lobulated slightly hyperintense mass with a ventral area of marked hyperintensity in T1 images, hypointense on T2 images. Signal within the lesion was suggestive of intralesional hemorrhage. RESULTS: Complete resection of the lesion was performed, resulting in immediate recovery. The cyst was quite rounded, brownish, and contained rest of both partially fresh and coagulated hematoma. Histologic examination revealed myxoid degeneration of the ligamentum flavum with an hemorrage in the cystic cavity without a synovial layer. CONCLUSIONS: This report identifies a rare case of radicular lumbar deficit and pain secondary to acute hemorrhage into a ligamentum flavum cyst. The pathogenesis and clinicopathologic characteristics of this lesion are described.     

Ligamentum flavum hematoma in the rigid thoracic spinal segments: case report

Ligamentum flavum hematoma, a rare cause of spinal nerve root and canal compression, typically occurs in the mobile lumbar spine segments. A thoracic ligamentum flavum hematoma is extremely rare--only one such case of a thoracolumbar (T11-12) lesion has been reported. The thoracolumbar region with its floating ribs, however, is structurally and biomechanically similar to the lumbar spine and its mobility is greater than the higher thoracic levels. To the best of their knowledge, the authors report the first case of a ligamentum flavum hematoma in the region of the rigid thoracic spinal segments with the contiguous rib cage. A symptomatic T9-10 ligamentum flavum hematoma is described in the case of a 66-year-old woman with compensatory thoracic lordosis secondary to the lumbar degenerative kyphosis. The hematoma was removed and the diagnosis was histologically confirmed. The authors speculate that thoracic lordosis might have contributed to the development of the hematoma because the ligamentum flavum and the facet joint were subjected to greater axial stress than in individuals with normal spinal alignment.     

Ligamentum flavum hematoma in the lumbar spine

A 62-year-old male presented with a rare case of ligamentum flavum hematoma manifesting as low back pain and gait difficulty beginning 1 month before consulting our institute. He had no history of lumbar spine surgery or lumbar puncture. However, he might have suffered forgotten back injury while practicing martial arts. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a heterogeneous intensity mass lesion with a cystic component at the L3-4 levels. The lesion was totally removed through a hemilaminectomy. Intraoperative and histological findings confirmed the diagnosis of old hematoma with granulomatous change in the ligamentum flavum. Postoperatively, his low back pain and gait difficulty resolved within a few days.     

Thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum caused by skeletal fluorosis

Thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum (OLF) caused by skeletal fluorosis is rare. Only six patients had been reported in the English literature. This study reports findings from the first clinical series of this disease. This was a retrospective study of patients with thoracic OLF due to skeletal fluorosis who underwent surgical management at the authors' hospital between 1993 and 2003. Diagnosis of skeletal fluorosis was made based on the epidemic history, clinical symptoms, radiographic findings, and urinalysis. En bloc laminectomy decompression of the involved thoracic levels was performed in all cases. Cervical open door decompression or lumbar laminectomy decompression was performed if relevant stenosis was present. Neurological status was evaluated preoperatively, at the third day postoperatively, and at the end point of follow-up using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scoring system of motor function of the lower extremities. A total of 23 cases were enrolled, 16 (69.6%) males and 7 (30.4%) females, age ranging from 42 to 72 years (mean 54.8 years). All patients came from a high-fluoride area, and 22 (95.7%) had dental fluorosis. Medical imaging showed OLF together with ossification of many ligaments and interosseous membranes, including interosseous membranes of the forearm (18/23 patients 78.3%), leg (14/23 patients 60.9%), and ribs (11/23 patients 47.8%). OLF was classified into five types based on MRI findings: localized (4/23 patients 17.4%), continued (12/23 patients 52.2%), skip (3/23 patients 13.0%), combining with anterior pressure (2/23 patients 8.7%), and combining with cervical and/or lumbar stenosis (2/23 patients, 8.7%). Urinalysis showed a markedly high urinary fluoride level in 14 of 23 patients (60.9%). Patients were followed up for an average duration of 4 years, 5 months. Paired t-test showed that the JOA score was slightly but nonsignificantly increased relative to preoperative measurement 3 days after surgery (P = 0.0829) and significantly increased at the end of follow-up (P = 0.0001). In conclusion, Fluorosis can cause ossification of thoracic ligamentum flavum, as well as other ligaments. Comparing with other OLF series, a larger number of spinal segments were involved. The diagnosis of skeletal fluorosis was made by the epidemic history, clinical symptom, imaging study findings, and urinalysis. En bloc laminectomy decompression was an effective method.     

Spontaneous haematoma of ligamentum flavum. Case report and literature review

Spontaneous infarction of the ligamentum flavum is a very rare cause of mielo-radicular compression. In the literature only four cases are reported, all characterized by a clinical history of slowly progressive mielo-radiculopathy and good outcome after surgical treatment. A 70 year-old female patient presented with a four months clinical history of spontaneous, sub-continuous, progressive lumbar pain with bilateral irradiation to the L4-L5 dermatomers, right leg monoparesis and hypoaesthesia affecting tactile, thermal and pain sensivity, urinary incontinence and constipation. CT scan and MRI evidenced an extradural ovalar lesion in correspondence of the L1-L2 levels, that exerted compression over the dural sac, dislocating it anteriorly. The patient underwent a L1-L2 laminectomy and the lesion was totally resected. Rapid improvement of the patient's symptomatology has been noticed in the postoperative period, with complete recovery during the following month. Histologic examinations demonstrated that the mass was a haematoma of the ligamentum flavum. It's our opinion, that a picture of ligamentum flavum haematoma should be taken into account in differential diagnosis of posterior mielo-radicular compression. The progressive growth of the haematoma may explain the long clinical history of these patients and surgical treatment, even if delayed, permits an excel-lent clinical outcome.     

内窥镜下保留与不保留黄韧带腰椎间盘摘除术的临床比较研究

目的 探讨在内窥镜下保留腰椎黄韧带的手术技巧、临床适应证和临床效果。方法选择单节段内窥镜下（METRx）腰椎间盘摘除术患者,其中保留黄韧带组65例,同期不保留黄韧带组146例进行临床比较。所有患者均有不同程度腰骶部疼痛伴下肢放射痛,以及不同程度伸拇肌力或跟腱反射减弱,同时辅以CT扫描和（或）磁共振成像（MRI）检查确诊。常规METRx操作下显露腰椎板间隙,用微型手术刀切开并剥离黄韧带,将黄韧带向中线卷曲剥离成上、外、下3面游离的黄韧带瓣,用微型神经拉钩将黄韧带向中线牵开,显露硬膜囊和神经根。椎间盘摘除、神经根松解减压术后,将黄韧带瓣恢复到原来的解剖结构部位。结果两组手术时间和住院时问无差异,但不保留黄韧带组硬脊膜损伤、椎问盘炎及伤口感染及复发率方面较保留黄韧带组高。结论METRx操作下保留腰椎黄韧带技术操作可行,临床效果良好。     

Spinal cord compression by hematoma in the cervical ligamentum flavum: a case report

Background contextThere have been some reports describing hematoma in the thoracic and lumbar ligamentum flavum, but there have been only three reports of hematoma in the cervical ligamentum flavum.PurposeWe describe another case of the ligamentum flavum hematoma in the cervical spine with a different feature of occurrence that required surgical treatment.Study designCase report.Patient samplePatient with ligamentum flavum hematoma in the cervical spine.Outcome measuresPreoperative magnetic resonance imaging and pathologic finding from operative specimen confirmed the diagnosis.MethodsA 69-year-old man insidiously presented with pain in his left upper arm and difficulty in left shoulder abduction. Neurologic examination demonstrated a cervical myelopathy with diffuse muscle weakness of left upper extremity and sensory disturbance. Imaging studies revealed a mass of high intense on T1-weighted images and isointense on T2-weighted images posterior to the dura at C4 lower end level. The patient underwent C4–C5 hemilaminectomy and the removal of the mass. The mass existed within the ligamentum flavum and was connected toward the pedicle like the beads of a rosary.ResultsHistopathologic examination of the surgical specimen showed that the hematoma was present within the ligamentum flavum and contained macrophages that had phagocytosed red blood cells and hemosiderin. After surgery, the patients' symptoms immediately improved, and no recurrence was observed at 2 years postoperatively.ConclusionsWe reported a very rare case of hematoma in the ligamentum flavum of the cervical spine that required surgery. Because the patient was without the history of trauma, it was suggested that the use of antiplatelet drugs was responsible for the occurrence of the disease.     

Ligamentum flavum hematoma in the cervical spine - case report

A 67-year-old man presented with a rare case of ligamentum flavum hematoma manifesting as progressive tetraplegia following cervical traction therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine showed a posterior mass that was continuous with the ligamentum flavum at the C3-4 levels. Complete resection of the mass that contained brownish hemorrhage was performed, resulting in excellent symptom relief. We speculate that repeated trivial trauma to the degenerative ligamentum flavum was the main predisposing factor in the present case. Ligamentum flavum hematoma is a rare cause of spinal root or cord compression which typically occurs in the lower thoracic or lumbar spine, but may also appear in the cervical spine.     

腰椎黄韧带骨化伴腰椎管狭窄的治疗

目的:探讨腰椎黄韧带骨化伴腰椎管狭窄影像学特点和手术治疗效果。方法 :2013年1月至2016年1月治疗腰椎黄韧带骨化伴腰椎管狭窄患者9例,男5例,女4例;年龄51~63岁,平均57岁。患者均表现为间歇性跛行和下肢放射痛,CT和MRI检查提示病变部位:L4,5和L5S1双节段2例,L4,5单节段5例,L5S1单节段2例。4例单纯行椎板切除椎管减压术,5例行椎板和椎间盘切除、椎间融合及椎弓根螺钉内固定术。采用JOA评分(包括主观症状、日常活动受限度、临床体征和膀胱功能)对治疗前后的临床疗效进行评定。结果:患者术后无感染或神经损伤等并发症,9例患者均获得随访,时间12~60个月,平均24个月。末次随访腰背疼痛和下肢放射痛等明显改善,行走距离均接近正常,JOA评分较术前明显改善。结论:腰椎黄韧带骨化CT检查有特征性影像学表现,影像学表现决定具体手术方法,手术目的以最小创伤获得椎管有效减压并重建下腰椎稳定性。     

单纯黄韧带肥厚致腰椎管狭窄及根性疼痛

目的：探讨单纯黄韧带肥厚致腰椎管狭窄及根性疼痛的临床表现。方法：回顾1997年－2001年腰腿痛的143例病例，其中例为单纯黄韧带肥厚所致，年龄65－78岁，均手术行单纯黄韧带切除，达到椎管减压，结果：此类患者均为老年，病程长，可有急性加重过程，疼痛可与椎间盘突出相似，但以下腰疼痛明显，而下肢放射痛相对较轻，临床及影像学均易误诊。结论：退变引起的黄韧带肥厚可造成椎管狭窄及根性疼痛，手术切除后症状明显缓解。长期随访，患者腰痛消失，可以长时间行走，明显提高了生活质量。     

Thoracic cord compression caused by contiguous multilevel ossification of ligamentum flavum in Chinese patients

OBJECTIVE: To explore the epidemiology, clinical presentation, radiology and surgical treatment outcome in Chinese patients with myelopathy caused by contiguous multilevel ossification of ligamentum flavum. METHODS: Medical notes and imaging data of 18 Chinese patients (14 males and 4 females, aged 43-72 years, mean: 57 years) with myelopathy caused by contiguous multilevel ossification of ligamentum flavum were studied retrospectively in this article. The diagnosis was based on clinical examination, X-ray films, computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning results and pathological results. Sixteen patients were treated by laminectomy and two by laminoplasty. The average follow-up duration was 34 months (range, 28-49 months). The outcome was evaluated by Japanese Orthopaedics Association (JOA) score. RESULTS: The average time for occurring clinical symptoms was 7.5 months (range, 2 days-16 months). All the 18 cases presented with clinical evidences of chronic and progressive thoracic spinal cord compression, which included bilateral leg weakness, spastic gait, numbness in lower limbs, paresthesia in terminal and perineum, and urinary incontinence. Neurological examination revealed severe spastic paraparesis, absence of abdominal reflexes, and reduction of the sensory function below the compression level. The mean JOA score before operation was 3.6 (range, 0-6). MRI and CT scans of the thoracic spine confirmed the presence of contiguous multilevel ossification of the ligamentum flavum. The mean recovery rate after surgery in terms of JOA score was 66.3% (range, 33.3%-100%), with a mean final JOA score of 8.3. Thoracic decompression laminectomy or laminoplasty could result in a good postoperative outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Contiguous multilevel ossification of the ligamentum flavum is not a common cause of myelopathy in Chinese population and should be treated as early as possible. MRI and CT scan examinations may diagnose the presence of thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum (OLF). Posterior decompression, especially with en bloc dissection of the laminae, can obtain satisfactory results.     

胸椎椎体后缘骨内软骨结节的发生特点与手术治疗

目的探讨胸椎椎体后缘骨内软骨结节的特点以及软骨结节切除术与改良全脊髓减压术的疗效。方法1978年5月至2005年5月,手术治疗胸椎椎体后缘骨内软骨结节32例,男18例,女14例;年龄23～70岁,平均47.8岁。X线片可见损伤终板后上或后下缘的骨赘、游离骨块、缺损;CT轴位片可见突向椎管的环形或块状骨化影,其内为低密度区;MRI可见脊髓受压,但无法分辨骨性终板与软骨终板。前20年的6例分别采用传统全椎板减压术、侧前方减压术、整块半关节突全椎板减压术治疗各2例;后6年采用软骨结节切除术治疗21例、改良全脊髓减压术治疗5例。结果32例中31例发生于胸腰段、1例位于T8。共发生胸椎椎体后缘骨内软骨结节37处,椎体上终板30处、下终板7处;单一椎体终板发病者27例、相邻椎体上下终板同时发病者4例、跳跃性两处发病者1例。32例中合并胸椎黄韧带骨化者16例,7例与胸椎椎体后缘骨内软骨结节发生于同一椎间、9例发生于与软骨结节上下相邻及其以远椎间。黄韧带骨化按CT分型,棘状型与结节型11例、板块型与隆突型5例。随访26例,随访时间1～27年,平均3.8年。按Otanni分级方法,优22例(84.6%)、良3例(11.5%)、可1例(3.9%)。结论胸椎椎体后缘骨内软骨结节多发于胸腰段椎体的上终板,且常常合并胸椎黄韧带骨化;软骨结节切除术与改良全脊髓减压术是治疗该病的安全、有效术式。     

A post-traumatic ligamentum flavum progressive hematoma: a case report

STUDY DESIGN: A case report. OBJECTIVES: To understand a rare case of ligamentum flavum progressive hematoma. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Previously there were only two reports about ligamentum flavum hematoma. METHODS: A patient was surgically treated for ligamentum flavum hematoma causing progressive L5 radiculopathy. Clinical and neuroradiologic features were reported, and the literature was reviewed. RESULTS: The etiology of this case could not be defined except by minor back injury. In spite of conservative therapy, the symptoms were progressive for 7 months. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated the epidural mass lesion at L4-L5 that was continuous with the ligamentum flavum. The mass was hypointense in T1-weighted images and central hyperintense and marginal hypointense in T2-weighted images. The margin was well enhanced by Gd-DTPA administration. After removal of the mass lesion, the patient's symptoms completely resolved. Before surgery, accurate diagnosis was difficult even based on magnetic resonance imaging and was achieved after histologic examinations. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery could be a choice of the treatment modality to resolve symptoms in ligamentum flavum hematoma.     

Quantitative analysis of transforming growth factor-beta 1 in ligamentum flavum of lumbar spinal stenosis and disc herniation.

STUDY DESIGN: The concentration of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta1) was examined in the ligamentum flavum of lumbar spinal stenosis and disc herniation. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of TGF-beta1 on hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum in lumbar spinal stenosis compared with that of lumbar disc herniation. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum is known to be related to degenerative changes that are secondary to the aging process or mechanical instability. However, there has been no study to investigate the effect of biochemical factors, such as growth factors, associated with hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum. METHODS: The concentrations of TGF-beta1 were analyzed in the surgically obtained ligamentum flavum specimens from lumbar spinal stenosis (n = 10; mean age 62.8 years) and disc herniation (n = 10; mean age 35.6 years) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The localization of TGF-beta1 within the ligamentum flavum was determined using immunohistochemical study. The thickness of the ligamentum flavum was measured with axial T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. The biochemical and radiologic results were compared for these two conditions. RESULTS: The mean concentration of TGF-beta1 was 123.78 pg/100 microg protein (range 11-374 pg/100 microg protein) in lumbar spinal stenosis and 38.56 pg/100 microg protein (range 0-155 pg/100 microg protein) in lumbar disc herniation; the difference between lumbar spinal stenosis and disc herniation was statistically significant (P = 0.029). The mean thickness of the ligamentum flavum was 4.44 mm (range 3.4-5.4 mm) in lumbar spinal stenosis and 2.44 mm (range 1.8-4.0 mm) in lumbar disc herniation; the difference between lumbar spinal stenosis and disc herniation was statistically significant (P = 0.001). On immunohistochemical study TGF-beta1 was positively stained on the fibroblasts within the ligamentum flavum specimens. CONCLUSION: The current results suggest that higher expression of TGF-beta1 by fibroblasts might be related to the development of hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum in lumbar spinal stenosis.     

The incidence of lumbar ligamentum flavum midline gaps

Lumbar epidural anesthesia and analgesia has gained increasing importance in perioperative pain therapy for abdominal and lower limb surgery. The loss-of-resistance technique, used to identify the epidural space, is thought to rely on the penetration of the ligamentum flavum. However, the exact morphology of the ligamentum flavum at different vertebral levels remains controversial. Therefore, in this study, we directly investigated the incidence of lumbar ligamentum flavum midline gaps in embalmed cadavers. Vertebral column specimens were obtained from 45 human cadavers. On each dissected level, ligamentum flavum midline gaps were recorded. The incidence of midline gaps per number of viable specimens at the following levels was: L1-2 = 10 of 45 (22.2%), L2-3 = 5 of 44 (11.4%), L3-4 = 5 of 45 (11.1%), L4-5 = 4 of 43 (9.3%), L5/S1 = 0 of 33 (0%). In conclusion, the present study determined the frequency of lumbar ligamentum flavum midline gaps. Gaps in the lumbar ligamentum flavum are most frequent between L1 and L2 but are more rare below this level. When using the midline approach, the ligamentum flavum may not impede entering the epidural space in all patients. IMPLICATIONS: The ligamentum flavum is a crucial anatomical landmark for the safe performance of epidural anesthesia. However, the present study demonstrates some failure of the lumbar ligamentum flavum as a landmark. This may mean that, using a midline approach, one cannot always rely on the ligamentum flavum as a perceptible barrier to epidural needle advancement.