Objective: To investigate the imaging characteristic and operation outcome of ossification of ligamentum flavum with lumbar spinal stenosis.
Methods: January 2013 to January 2016, 9 patients with ossification of ligamentum flavum with lumbar spinal stenosis were treated, included 5 males and 4 females, aged from 51 to 63 years old with an average of 57 years old. All patients complained intermittent claudication and radiating pain at lower limb. The pathologic change regions examined by CT or MRI were as follows:2 cases in L₄,₅ and L₅S₁, 5 in L̀,̀, and 2 in L₅S₁. Four patients underwent simple laminectomy and 5 patients underwent laminectomy and discectomy, interbody fusion and internal fixation with pedicle screw. Clinical effects were evaluated according to JOA score, which items included subjective symptom, daily activity limitation, clinical sign and bladder function.
Results: No complications such as infection or nerve injury were found after operation. The follow-up period was from 12 to 60 months with an average of 24 months. The low back pain and radiating pain at lower limb improved significantly and walking distance approached normal at final follow-up;and JOA scores improved obviously.
Conclusions: Ossification of ligamentum flavum has the special characteristic on CT scan, which decide the selection of operation method. The operative aim is effectively spinal decompression and rebuilding lower lumbar stability by minimally invasive surgery.
Keywords: Lumbar vertebrae; Ossification of ligamentum flavum; Spinal stenosis.