Turkish Neurosurgery
Clinical and Radiological Characteristics of Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament of the Cervical Spine in Patients without Myelopathy : results of a 1-year pilot study
Choi Byung-Wan1
1Inje University, Haeundae Paik Hospital, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Busan,
DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.16196-15.1
Aim:We analyzed the demographics, clinical and radiological characteristics of non-myelopathic cervical OPLL patients, which could serve as a basis for further studies on natural history of OPLL. Material and Methods:This study included 115 patients with cervical OPLL without myelopathy. Clinically, visual analog scale (VAS) scores for the neck and arm, and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores were evaluated. Radiologically, the number of involved segments, type of OPLL, and the maximal compression ratio were analyzed using a CT scan. The relationship between clinical scores and radiological parameters was analyzed.Results:VAS score for the neck was 4.42 and that for the arm was 3.64. The mean JOA score was 16.13. Radiologically, the mean number of involved segments was 3.55. The type of OPLL mass was continuous, mixed, segmental, and local in 10, 43, 42, and 20 cases, respectively. There was a significant relationship between the maximal compression ratio and the number of involved segments. No relationship was found between clinical symptoms, clinical scores, and radiological findings.Conclusion:Some non-myelopathic cervical OPLL patients showed no symptoms, some presented axial neck pain and radiculopathy. Radiologically, a significant relationship between the maximal compression ratio and the number of involved segments was found. However, there was no relationship between clinical symptoms and radiological findings in neurologically intact patients.
Corresponding author : Choi Byung-Wan