Background: Ossification of the ligamentum flavum is a widely described pathology in eastern Asia. Cases have been reported in northern Africa, the Middle-East, India, the Caribbean, Europe, and North America, but no cases from Latin America have been published in the literature. It affects mostly elderly men, with a possible association with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Case Description: A 38-year-old previously healthy Latin American male presented to the emergency room department with severe functional disability and a 3/5 paraparesis. Blood reports showed no abnormalities. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a ligamentum flavum ossification with myelopathy. The patient underwent a T3-T9 laminotomy. At hospital discharge, the patient remained with a 3/5 paraparesis, mild hypoesthesia in both lower limbs and bladder incontinence. Rectal sphincter was continent. At 6 months, he was able to walk with a cane, with no sphincter or sensory alterations.

Conclusions: Ligamentum flavum ossification is rare. To our understanding, this is the first case reported in the Latin American population.

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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3784953PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/2152-7806.118489DOI Listing

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