Spinal compression due to ossified yellow ligament: a short series of 5 patients and literature review.

Background: Ossification of ligamentum flavum in the thoracic region causing compressive myelopathy among middle-aged patients is a poorly described entity.

Case Description: Five patients of Indian origin with OYL are described. Their clinical presentations, surgical options, and long-term outcome are presented. Radiologic and clinical follow-up of one of the patient is described over a span of 10 years.

Conclusions: Decompressive laminectomy and excision of the OYL is the commonly performed surgical procedure. A rapid neurologic improvement follows decompression. The persistent spasticity in certain patients is attributed to irreversible changes within the cord. The disease is thought to be progressive in nature. The prolonged follow-up of these patients suggests that the long-term prognosis is poor. Selective racial involvement and variable clinical presentations, with treatment options, are discussed.