Ossified ligamentum flavum of the thoracic spine presenting as spontaneous intracranial hypotension: case report.

Ossification of the ligament flavum in the thoracic spine is an uncommon radiological finding in the Western population but can present with back pain, varying degrees of myelopathy, and even paraplegia on occasion. The authors here present the case of a 50-year-old woman with a history of progressive back pain and symptoms of spontaneous intracranial hypotension who was found to have an ossified ligamentum flavum of the thoracic spine resulting in a dural erosion cerebrospinal fluid leak. Surgery involved removal of the ossified ligament flavum at T10-11, facetectomy, ligation of the nerve root, and primary closure of the dura, which resulted in complete resolution of the patient's symptoms. Radiological, clinical, and intraoperative findings are discussed to assist surgeons with an accurate diagnosis and treatment in the setting of this unusual presentation.