Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, known as OPLL, is a process of fibrosis, calcification and ossification of the ligament running along the back of the spinal vertebral bodies, and it may involve the spinal dura. Once thought to be a disorder peculiar to people of Asian heritage, it is now recognized as an uncommon cause of myelopathy in a variety of patients. Genetic and environmental factors appear to play a role. Patients range in age from 32 to 81 years, with a male predominance, and prevalence is higher in people of Japanese or Asian ancestry at 2 to 3.5 percent than in other groups at 0.16 percent. Most patients have only mild symptoms. Imaging, including CT after myelography, supports diagnosis, and surgical options include laminectomy, anterior decompression and laminoplasty.
Facts
Causative Agent
Causative Agent (category)Idiopathic / Multifactorial 1 Prevalence Band Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament
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Source Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (Wikipedia)
Source Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (Wikipedia)
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1. Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (Wikipedia)
Lead
Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a process of fibrosis, calcification, and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine, that may involve the spinal dura.
Causes
Genetic and environmental factors appear to play a role in pathogenesis.
Lead, prevalence band
Once considered a disorder unique to people of Asian heritage, it is now recognized as an uncommon disorder in a variety of patients with myelopathy.
Treats: Laminectomy, Treatment, laminectomy
Surgical management options include extensive cervical laminectomy with or without an additional posterior arthrodesis, anterior decompression and arthrodesis, and posterior cervical laminoplasty.
Treats: Laminoplasty, Treatment, laminoplasty
Surgical management options include extensive cervical laminectomy with or without an additional posterior arthrodesis, anterior decompression and arthrodesis, and posterior cervical laminoplasty.
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