OPLL - Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Preface to the Second Edition

Preface to the First Edition

Contents

Contributors

Introduction

History of Research

Epidemiology

Overview of Epidemiology and Genetics

OPLL: Disease Entity, Incidence, Literature Search, and Prognosis

Genetic Susceptibility to OPLL

Pathology and Pathogenesis

Overview of Etiology and Pathogenesis

Etiology and Pathogenesis

Contribution of Metabolic Conditions to Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament of the Spine

Review of Histopathological Studies on OPLL of the Cervical Spine, with Insights into the Mechanism

Pathology of Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum

Possible Roles of Bone Morphogenetic Proteins and Transforming Growth Factor- bs in the Pathogenesis of OPLL and OLF

Pathology of Spinal Cord Lesions Caused by Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Tiptoe Walking (ttw) Mouse

Study of Ligament Ossification and Abnormal Glucose Tolerance in the Zucker Fatty Rat

3 6 9 12 3 6 9 12

Experimental Murine Model of Ossification of Spinal Ligaments Induced by Bone Morphogenetic Protein- 2

Spinal Cord Lesions in Spinal Hyperostotic Mouse ( twy/ twy) Simulating Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament of the Cervical Spine

Diagnosis of OPLL and OYL

Diagnosis of OPLL and OYL: Overview

Clinical Manifestation of Cervical OPLL

Clinical Manifestations of Thoracic OPLL and OLF

Diagnostic Imaging of Cervical Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Imaging Diagnosis of Thoracic OPLL and OLF

Electrophysiological Diagnosis of Cervical OPLL Myelopathy

Treatment of OPLL and OLF

Overview of Treatment for Ossification of the Longitudinal Ligament and the Ligamentum Flavum

Pharmacotherapy for Ossification of the Spinal Ligaments: Clinical Trial of Disodium ( 1- Hydroxyethylidene) Diphosphonate to Inhibit Progression of Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament in the Cervical Spine after Posterior Decompression S

Conservative Treatment of Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament in the Cervical Spine

Choice of Surgical Procedure

Expansive Laminoplasty

Expansive Open-door Laminoplasty for Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament of the Cervical Spine: Surgical Indications, Technique, and Outcomes

Double-door Laminoplasty by Splitting Spinous Processes

Anterior Cervical Decompression for Cervical Myelopathy Caused by Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Treatment of OPLL and OLF of the Cervical Spine: Long- Term Results

Choice of Surgical Procedures for Thoracic Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Anterior Decompression and Fusion for Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament of the Thoracic Spine: Procedure and Clinical Outcomes of Transthoracic and Transsternal Approaches

Circumspinal Decompression with Dekyphosis Stabilization for Thoracic Myelopathy due to Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Posterior Extensive Cervicothoracic Laminoplasty

Anterior Decompression Through Posterior Approach for Thoracic Myelopathy Caused by OPLL: Ohtsuka Procedure

Surgical Treatment for Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament of the Thoracic Spine: Outcomes of One- Stage Posterior Decompression with Corrective Fusion Surgery

Surgery for Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum

Computer-Aided Surgery for Ossification of the Spinal Ligaments

Surgical Treatment of Thoracic Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament: Intraoperative Spinal Cord Monitoring

Intraoperative Ultrasonography for Patients with Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Appendix: Diagnostic Criteria for OPLL and Diagnosis and Treatment Algorithm

Subject Index