Analysis of demographics, clinical, and radiographical findings of ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament of the cervical spine in 146 Korean patients.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective clinical data analysis.

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to analyze retrospectively the demographics, clinical presentation, and radiographical findings of ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of the cervical spine in Korean patients, which could serve as a basis for further studies on and treatment of OPLL.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

As the frequency of diagnosing the OPLL has been gradually increasing because of the increased importance and interest, it is important to understand the demographic characteristics of the disease.

METHODS

Of 222 patients with a diagnosis of OPLL of the cervical spine, 146 patients were evaluated. Demographic features such as age and sex, and clinical features related to symptoms and treatments, were analyzed, and radiological features observed on plain radiographs, computerized tomography for 3-dimensional reconstruction, and magnetic resonance images were investigated.

RESULTS

Of the 146 subjects, 106 were male patients and 40 were female patients, which showed a male to female ratio of 2.65:1. The mean age of the subjects was 53.3 years. Neurological symptoms such as radiculopathy or myelopathy were observed in 109 patients (74.7%). Diagnosis of OPLL by plain radiography could not be ascertained in 19.9% of the patients. Ossification of paraspinal ligaments also accompanied OPLL in 86.3% of the subjects. Intramedullary high-signal intensity on T2-weighted sagittal plane magnetic resonance images was shown in 62 patients (42.5%). Concurrent herniated intervertebral disc was observed in 37 patients (25.3%).

CONCLUSION

The demographics, clinical presentation, and radiographical findings of OPLL of the cervical spine in Korean patients were analyzed, which could serve as a basis for further study on and treatment of OPLL. The classification method using plain radiographs has some limitation for disease treatment or prognosis. For the exact diagnosis and classification of the OPLL, computerized tomographic scan is more useful.