Ossification of the yellow ligament causing thoracic cord compression

Abstract

Ossification of the yellow ligament (OYL) is not infrequent in the cervical and lumbar regions but is very rare in the thoracic spine, with no more than 40 cases reported in the literature. We describe a 50-year-old male with progressive paraparesis and sensory dysfunction, secondary to OYL at T10-T11, studied by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Decompressive laminectomy and removal of the ligament resulted in marked clinical improvement. Patients with OYL may initially develop sensory dysfunction associated with leg weakness. This pathological entity can be well defined by CT and MRI, and surgery by decompressive laminectomy is advised for all cases. The OYL should be removed both posteriorly and laterally to the dural sac to obtain sufficient decompression of the spinal canal.