Multisegmental cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament: Anterior vs posterior approach (original) (raw)
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Medicine, 2018
To investigate factors associated with surgical outcomes of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). This retrospective study included patients (662 males and 251 females; mean age 55.8 years) with symptomatic OPLL. All patients had been diagnosed with OPLL based on cervical magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scans. Demographic, surgical outcome was measured using visual analog scale (VAS) and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scale scores. The results of our study indicated radicular pain was more common in segmental and circumscribe OPLL subtypes (P < 0.05). An anterior approach was favored in patients with less than 3 involved vertebral levels (P < 0.05). All surgical methods showed good outcomes (P < 0.05). Continuous and mixed OPLL subtypes showed worse surgical outcome with higher VAS and JOA scores (P < 0.05). Laminoplasty and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion were significantly associated with a higher recover...
Asian Journal of Pain, 2018
Objective: The purpose was to comparatively assess cervical sagittal alignment and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes, between patients who underwent cervical expansive laminoplasty (EL) and those who underwent cervical laminectomy with fusion (LF) for cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) in more than three levels. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated consecutive patients with cervical OPLL undergoing posterior cervical decompression from 2013-2015. We analyzed radiological measurements (C2-7 sagittal vertical axis [C2-7 SVA], C0-2 angle, C2-7 lordotic angle, T1 slope, and range of motion [ROM]) and clinical outcomes (visual analog scale, neck disability index, Short Form-36, and Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores), preoperatively and at the last follow-up. Results: There were 84 patients (63 men; 21 women). Mean follow-up period was 27.7 months (range: 24-48.8). Compared with preoperative C2-7 SVA, postoperative C2-7 SVA was significantly increased in patients in the LF (13.46 mm) and EL (2.11 mm) groups. Losses of the cervical lordotic angle and ROM were larger in cervical LF patients than in cervical EL patients. The change in the C2-7 SVA was negatively correlated with the change in the C2-7 lordotic angle and positively correlated with changes in the T1 slope and C0-2 angle. Improvements in health-related quality of life were similar between the two groups, except for patient-reported neck pain. Conclusion: Cervical EL and LF were effective surgical techniques to improve the patient-reported outcomes and HRQOL of patients with OPLL in more than three levels. Cervical EL can preserve sagittal alignment and improve clinical results and neck pain, more than cervical LF. Cervical sagittal imbalance after posterior decompression was related to axial neck pain.
2021
This prospective multicenter study formed by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare at 27 institutions aimed to compare postoperative outcomes between laminoplasty (LM) and posterior fusion (PF) for cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). Controversy exists regarding the role of instrumented fusion in the context of posterior surgical decompression for OPLL. Among the 479 patients enrolled, 189 (137 and 52 patients with LM and PF, respectively) were included and evaluated using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, the JOA Cervical Myelopathy Evaluation Questionnaire (JOACMEQ), and radiographical measurements. Basic demographic and radiographical data were reviewed, and the propensity to choose a surgical procedure was calculated. Preoperatively, patient backgrounds, radiographical measurements (K-line or cervical alignment on X-ray, OPLL occupation ratio on computed tomography, and increased signal intensity change on magnetic ...
Cervical Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament: Anterior or Posterior surgery
2014
Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a complex multifactorial disease process combining both metabolic and biomechanical factors, most commonly found in men, the elderly and Asian patients. There are many diseases. There are many diseases associated with OPLL, such as diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, ankylosing spondylitis, and other spondyloarthropathies. Several factors have been reported to be associated with OPLL formation and progression, including genetic, hormonal, environmental, and lifestyle factors. However, the pathogenesis of OPLL is still unclear. Plain radiography, CT, and MR imaging are used to evaluate OPLL extension and the area of spinal cord compression. Management of OPLL continues to be controversial. Each surgical technique has some advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of operation should be made case by case, depending on the patient's condition, level of pathology, type of OPLL, and the surgeon's experience. I...
Neurosurgical FOCUS, 2011
Object Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a complex multifactorial disease process combining both metabolic and biomechanical factors. The role for surgical intervention and choice of anterior or posterior approach is controversial. The object of this study was to review the literature and present a single-institution experience with surgical intervention for OPLL. Methods The authors performed a retrospective review of their institutional experience with surgical intervention for cervical OPLL. They also reviewed the English-language literature regarding the epidemiology, pathophysiology, natural history, and surgical intervention for OPLL. Results Review of the literature suggests an improved benefit for anterior decompression and stabilization or posterior decompression and stabilization compared with posterior decompression via laminectomy or laminoplasty. Both anterior and posterior approaches are safe and effective means of decompression of cervical ...
Asian Journal of Neurosurgery
Aims: The aim of the study was to retrospectively evaluate the neurological outcome in operated patients of ossified posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of cervical and/or dorsal spine using modified Japanese orthopedic association (mJOA) score and find out the factors affecting the outcome. Settings and Design: The study design was a retrospective study. Materials and Methods: Forty operated patients of cervical and/or dorsal spine OPLL were included in the study. Neurological examination was conducted and analyzed using mJOA score pre- and postoperatively at 1, 6, and 12 months. Improvement in the mJOA score based on age, sex, type of OPLL, duration of symptoms, type of surgical procedure, and radiological parameters were calculated, analyzed, and compared with previous records of the patient. Results: Significant improvement in mJOA scores with mean preoperative being 12.27 ± 1.95 with 1-year postoperative 13.85 ± 2.02 (P < 0.0001) noted. There is a significant difference i...
Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the cervical spine
O ssificatiOn of the posterior longitudinal ligament is a condition of abnormal calcification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. The most common location is at the cervical spine region. The spinal cord can be compressed by this lesion, which can cause neurological deficits. The treatment of choice for patients with symptomatic OPLL is surgery to relieve spinal cord compression. However, there are many unresolved controversies concerning OPLL: the exact pathogenesis and natural history of OPLL are still unclear, there is no standard treatment for patients with asymptomatic OPLL, and there is disagreement about the best surgical approach for OPLL surgery. In this study, we review the current literature including the incidence, pathology, pathogenesis, natural history, clinical presentation, classification, radiological evaluation, and management of OPLL. Methods The PubMed databases were searched for publications from January 2000 through August 2010 using the MeSH terms "OPLL" and "ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament." The search was limited to articles in the English language. Related reference sections of recent articles were reviewed and pertinent articles identified. Full-texts manuscripts of all articles were obtained and reviewed. Radiographic images from the senior author's institution are also included. Results Incidence The incidence of OPLL was reported by Tsuyama et al. 126 The incidence is 2.4% in Asian populations and 0.16% in non-Asian populations, with the highest rates in Japan. OPLL is twice as common in men as in women, and symptomatic OPLL usually presents in the 5th to 6th decade of life. Most studies of OPLL are reported from Asian countries, but anecdotal reports of OPLL cases in European countries also exist in the literature. Maiuri et al. 72 reported on 8 Italian patients with cervical spine stenosis due to OPLL.
Frontiers in Surgery, 2022
Objective: Cervical myelopathy caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is not uncommon among Asian ethnic groups. Despite reports comparing the pros and cons of anterior-and posterior-only approaches, the optimal management remains debatable. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of patients who underwent a combined anterior and posterior approach, simultaneous circumferential decompression and fixation, for cervical OPLL. Method: The study retrospectively reviewed patients with OPLL and who underwent circumferential decompression and fixation, combined anterior corpectomy and posterior laminectomy. The clinical outcomes were evaluated by the Visual Analog Scale of neck and arm pain, the Japanese Orthopedic Association scores, Neck Disability Index, and Nurick scores at each time-point of evaluation. Radiological evaluations included plain and dynamic radiographs and computed tomography for every patient within 2 years post-operation. Subgroup analyses were further performed between the groups, with and without intra-operative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage. Results: A total of 41 patients completed the follow-up for more than 2 years (mean = 39.8 months) and were analyzed. Continuous-type OPLL was the most common (44%), followed by segmental (27%), mixed (22%), and localized types (7%) in the cohort. Myelopathy and all other functional outcomes improved significantly at 2 years post-operation (all p < 0.05). There were 13 (32%) patients who had intra-operative CSF leakage. At 2 years post-operation, there were no differences in the demographics, functional outcomes, and complication rates between the CSF-leakage and no-leakage groups. The CSF-leakage group had more patients with continuous-type OPLL than the no-leakage group (77 vs. 29%, p = 0.004 < 0.05). During the follow-up, there was no secondary or revision surgery for pseudomeningocele, pseudarthrosis, or other surgery-related complications. Kuo et al. Circumferential Surgery for OPLL Conclusions: Simultaneous circumferential decompression and fixation combine the surgical benefits of sufficient decompression by the posterior approach and direct decompression of OPLL by the anterior approach. It is an effective surgical option for patients with cervical myelopathy caused by OPLL, given that myelopathy unanimously improved without neurological complications in this study. The fusion rates were high, and reoperation rates were low. Despite higher rates of CSF leakage, there were no related long-term sequelae, and minimal wound complications.
Neurosurgical FOCUS, 2011
Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament is a common cause of radiculopathy and myelopathy that often requires surgery to achieve decompression of the neural elements. With the evolution of surgical technique and a greater understanding of the biomechanics of cervical deformity, the criteria for selecting one approach over the other has been the subject of increased study and remains controversial. Ventral approaches typically consist of variations of the cervical corpectomy, whereas dorsal approaches include a wide range of techniques including laminoplasty, laminectomy, and laminectomy with instrumented fusion. Herein, the features and limitations of these approaches are reviewed with an emphasis on complications and outcomes.