Abstract

Background: Thoracic spinal cord compression due to both ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) is rare.

Case Description: A 33-year-old male with AS presented with a paraparesis attributed to MR documented T9-T10 OLF/stenosis. He was successfully managed with a decompressive laminectomy; this resulted in marked improvement of his deficit.

Conclusion: Thoracic OLF and AS rarely contribute T9-T10 spinal cord compression that may be readily relieved with a decompressive laminectomy.

Keywords: Ankylosing spondylitis, Myelopathy, Ossification of the ligamentum flavum, Thoracic spine

INTRODUCTION

Rarely, patients will present with a paraparesis attributed to the unique combination of thoracic ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF). Here, we present a 33-year-old male with T9-T10 spinal cord compression due to both AS and OLF whose function improved following a decompressive laminectomy.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 33-year-old male with AS (i.e., initial symptoms 2014 finally diagnosed 2017) presented with a progressive paraparesis of 5 months duration. Total spine radiographs showed AS [ Figure 1 ]. OLF was documented at the T9-T10 level on the T2 weighted MR where the typical beak shape hypointense right-sided dorsolateral mass was identified seen dorsolaterally on the right. The CT further confirmed the T9-T10 AS/OLF [ Figures 2 and 3 ]. The T9-T10 laminectomy revealed a large right-sided OLF ossified mass that was densely adherent to the dura; it was carefully dissected free and removed. Two months later, the patient’s neurological exam was much improved (i.e., preoperative mJOA score of 7 to a postoperative mJOA score of 9).

Figure 1:

Total spine plain radiographs, (a) AP view shows modified New York Grade 3 sacroiliitis with sclerosis of both sacroiliac joints and (b) lateral view demonstrates complete syndesmophytes formation in thoracic (BASRI score of 4) and interrupted in the lumbar spine (BASRI score of 3).

Figure 2:

Thoracic spine MRI, (a) T2-weighted sagittal images show beak type ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) at T9-T10 and (b) axial image shows right sided big OLF.

Figure 3:

Reconstructed CT scan of thoracic spine, (a) coronal view shows a right sided T9-T10 ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) and (b) sagittal view shows a beak type TOLF, note bamboo spine in thoracic (BASRI score of 4) and interrupted syndesmophytes formation in lumbar spine (BASRI score of 3).

DISCUSSION

AS, with a prevalence of AS ranging from 0.1 to 0.5%, is a chronic inflammatory disease that involves the primary axial skeleton largely in males during the third decade of life.[ 3 - 6 , 10 ] AS typically occurs in males between the ages of 50–60 years of age in the thoracic spine.[ 7 - 9 ] With AS, spinal cord and/or cauda equina may result from traumatic fracture dislocations resulting in traumatic epidural hematomas, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligamentum, and destructive spondylodiscitis/Anderson lesions.[ 1 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 10 ]

OLF, a well-known entity in East Asian countries but also involving patients from Iran and other countries, may also contribute to thoracic cord compression warranting decompressive laminectomies (i.e., the US).[ 2 , 4 , 7 - 9 ] OLF is characterized by ectopic bone formation within the yellow ligament which is normally composed of fibrous tissue.[ 7 - 9 ] MRI is the optimal study for establishing the “soft-tissue” findings classical for OLF.[ 4 , 7 - 9 ] However, CT is also critical for demonstrating the shape and dural ossification seen with these lesions.[ 4 , 7 - 9 ]

Surgery for thoracic cord compression due to AS and OLF

Typically, laminectomy with the meticulous direct dissection/ excision of the OLF utilizing an operating microscope with intraoperative monitoring is the procedure of choice for resecting thoracic OLF with AS.[ 4 , 7 - 9 ]

CONCLUSION

The patients presenting with paraparesis attributed to thoracic AS and OLF demonstrating MR/CT dorsolateral cord compression should undergo timely decompressive laminectomies to maximize neurological recovery.

Declaration of patient consent

The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

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