Calcification of the cervical ligamentum flavum. Case report and review of the literature

Calcification of the cervical ligamentum flavum is a rare entity observed exclusively in Japanese people. We report a new case in a 65-year-old man from Tunisia who presented with symptoms of cervical myelopathy with mild tetra paresis, sensory abnormalities and dysuria. Magnetic resonance imaging (...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neuro-chirurgie 2005-12, Vol.51 (6), p.591
Main Authors: Guesmi, H, Lamouchi, T, Mlaiki, A, Ksira, I, Tlili, K, Krifa, H
Format: Article
Language:fre
Subjects:
Aged
Calcinosis - complications
Calcinosis - pathology
Calcinosis - surgery
Humans
Ligamentum Flavum - pathology
Ligamentum Flavum - surgery
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Neurosurgical Procedures - methods
Paresthesia - diagnosis
Paresthesia - etiology
Spinal Cord - pathology
Spine - pathology
Spine - surgery
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Summary:Calcification of the cervical ligamentum flavum is a rare entity observed exclusively in Japanese people. We report a new case in a 65-year-old man from Tunisia who presented with symptoms of cervical myelopathy with mild tetra paresis, sensory abnormalities and dysuria. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a posterior compression of the spinal cord at C3-C4. CT-scan showed a calcification of the ligamentum flavum at level C3-C4, compressing the left postero-lateral aspect of the spinal cord. C3-C4 laminectomy was performed with removal of abnormal ligamentum flavum tissue. The postoperative course was uneventful and all symptoms resolved. Calcification of the cervical ligamentum flavum is a rare entity; the diagnosis is easy but the pathogenesis remains unclear. Literature regarding this pathology is reviewed.
ISSN:0028-3770
DOI:10.1016/S0028-3770(05)83634-3