Ossification of the Yellow Ligament Combined with Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament at the Cervicothoracic Junction.

Abstract

Both ossification of the yellow ligament (OYL) and the ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament are relatively rare clinical entities. We report a extremely rare case of the spinal canal stenosis because of OYL, OPLL and listhesis at the cervicothoracic junction. A 69-year-old man had progressive pain over his bilateral axillar portion and right lower extremity for 1 year. Radiology showed cervical canal stenosis with ossification of OYL, OPLL, and listhesis at the cervicothoracic junction. Posterior decompression therapy was performed, and he recovered entirely from his symptoms. Triple factors of OYL, OPLL and listhesis contributed the cervical canal stenosis limited at cervicothoracic junction. Early diagnosis and surgical therapy is recommended for the good prognosis of this pathologic condition, as well as careful long-term follow-up for the early detection of its recurrence.