{"id":"0c7f1573-1905-448f-8614-65a568bf3066","slug":"thoracic-myelopathy-due-to-ossification-of-the-posterior-longitudinal-ligament-shown-on-dynamic-mr","title":"Thoracic myelopathy due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament shown on dynamic MR","authors":["Naoki Segi","Kei Ando","Hiroaki Nakashima","Masaaki Machino","Sadayuki Ito","Hiroyuki Koshimizu","Hiroyuki Tomita","Shiro Imagama"],"abstract":"Background: Magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomography (CT) studies combined are the optimal studies for diagnosing thoracic ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) contributing to myelopathy. Here, we report a 71-year-old female, whose additional dynamic thoracic MR demonstrated transient T6–T9 anterior OPLL with cord compression. Case Description: A 71-year-old female presented with a progressive myelopathy originally attributed to cervical cord compression resulting in a cervical laminoplasty. However, when she failed to improve postoperatively, a dynamic thoracic MR was performed. On the flexion study, it demonstrated significant although transient T6–T9 anterior thoracic cord compression due to both OPLL and kyphosis. The patient’s symptoms resolved following a posterior thoracic fusion alone (i.e., no decompression was warranted). Conclusion: Dynamic MR studies (i.e., flexion studies) in addition to the routine MR and CT evaluations should be performed for patients with myelopathy attributed to thoracic OPLL/kyphosis.","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/0c7f1573-1905-448f-8614-65a568bf3066/featured/hero-1781561650433.png","publishDate":"2022-02-11T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.25259/SNI_14_2022","categories":["Spine","Case Report"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/api/articles/0c7f1573-1905-448f-8614-65a568bf3066/pdf"}