Ossification of the ligamenta flava with severe myelopathy in a black patient. A case report.

STUDY DESIGN

A case of symptomatic ossification of ligamenta flava in a black man from Martinique (French West Indies) is reported.

OBJECTIVES

To show that ossification of ligamenta flava may be observed in racial groups other than Japanese people and that the postoperative prognosis of symptomatic ossification of ligamenta flava is not always excellent.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Ossification of ligamenta flava causing slowly progressive myelopathy or radiculopathy is rare. It usually occurs in the lower thoracic spine. Ossification of ligamenta flava has mainly been described as occurring in Japanese people and very rarely in Caucasians. Diagnosis is based on a computed tomographic scan or magnetic resonance imaging, and postoperative prognosis is usually good.

METHODS

Low thoracic ossification of ligamenta flava was diagnosed in a black man from Martinique, based on the computed tomographic scan data and on the histopathologic examination of the removed tissue. The patient was clinically evaluated before and 1 year after the operation. A postoperative computed tomographic scan was performed. A magnetic resonance image was not available in this case.

RESULTS

The patient exhibited severe subacute myelopathy. After decompression, the neurologic recovery was incomplete. A postoperative computed tomographic scan showed complete excision of ossification of ligamenta flava and decompression of the spinal cord.

CONCLUSIONS

Ossification of ligamenta flava may occur in black people. An incomplete postoperative recovery may be observed in such cases of unusual subacute compressive myelopathy.