A Diagnostic Study of Thoracic Myelopathy Due to Ossification of Ligamentum Flavum

Purpose We set out to establish a MRI and CT-based diagnostic method for determining the responsible segments in thoracic myelopathy due to ossification of the ligamentum flavum(OLF).Methods Forty-four patients who underwent surgery for treatment of myelopathy due to OLF between June 2005 and May 2013 were enrolled in this study as the myelopathy group.Forty-four patients who were identified through CT and MRI scans to have OLF but had no definite neurologic deificits prior to the examination were included as the control group.MRI and CT examination were reviewed,and the degree of spinal canal compromise was graded on axial T2-weighted MRI.Anteroposterior spinal canal diameter was measured at the maximally stenosed level on axial and sagittal CT.The canal grade and the crosssection area-occupying ratio were measured and calculated on the CT scans.The diagnostic coincidence rates for the indices were then compared.Results The canal grade(paramedian) was the most relevant continuous variable with the largest JO...Purpose We set out to establish a MRI and CT-based diagnostic method for determining the responsible segments in thoracic myelopathy due to ossification of the ligamentum flavum(OLF).Methods Forty-four patients who underwent surgery for treatment of myelopathy due to OLF between June 2005 and May 2013 were enrolled in this study as the myelopathy group.Forty-four patients who were identified through CT and MRI scans to have OLF but had no definite neurologic deificits prior to the examination were included国家外国专家局国外人才信息研究中心