Ossification of posterior longitudinal ligaments: evaluation with MRI

J Magn Reson Imaging. 1998 Mar-Apr;8(2):398-405. doi: 10.1002/jmri.1880080220.

Abstract

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament is a special subcategory of degenerative disease responsible for compression of the spinal cord. On MR images, T2-weighted sequences are the most effective to evaluate both spinal cord compression due to the ossification and abnormal signal intensity of the cord. Although ossification of the ligaments is well demonstrated on CT and plain radiographs, MRI noninvasively provides useful information about the degree and extent of spinal cord compression, as well as the character of the ossification.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament / complications
  • Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament / diagnosis*
  • Spinal Cord / pathology
  • Spinal Cord Compression / etiology