The Pathology of Ligamentum Flavum in Degenerative Lumbar Disease

• DOI: 10.1097/01.brs.0000132510.25378.8c
• Publication Date: 2004-09-03T08:08:55Z
• Authors: Teruaki Okuda; Itsushi Baba; Yoshinori Fujimoto; Nobuhiro Tanaka; Tadayoshi Sumida; Hideki Manabe; Yuzo Hayashi; Mitsuo Ochi
• Keywords: Cauda equina; Clinical Significance; Cauda Equina Syndrome

A pathologic study of the ligamentum flavum in degenerative lumbar disease.To elucidate clinical significance each finding flavum.In many reports, researchers observed removed partially during surgery and did not evaluate whole image flavum. In addition, there are only a few reports that examined possible association between various histologic findings findings. And, thus, unclear points indicated by finding.The participants were 50 patients with diseases who underwent surgical decompression removal affected spinal level. Tissue specimens cross section prepared, changes elastic fibers collagen evaluated three grades to image. we presence or absence any focal lesions statistically analyzed these symptoms findings.In regard findings, calcification was significantly older patients, tended have low scores preoperative JOA score, frequently cauda equina symptoms. Patients ossification had greater % slip, chondroid cells spondylolisthesis.Various provided important foundations for discussing pathogenesis Calcification elderly those symptoms, severer Chondroid spondylolisthesis, suggesting involvement mechanical load ligaments. The related features, will be profitable understanding disease.