Abstract
Ossification of the ligamentum flavum usually occurs at the thoracic or thoracolumbar spine. There are few reports of ossification of the ligamentum flavum of the lower lumbar spine.
We report on a case of the lumbar canal stenosis with ossification of the ligamentum flavum. The patient was a 53-year-old woman with severe leg pain. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed ossification of the ligamentum flavum at the right L4/5.
We performed partial laminectomy at the right L4/5 and removed the ossified ligamentum flavum to the right L5 superior process using a micro-operating scope. The patient’s severe leg pain disappeared after the operation.
The mechanism of ossification of the ligamentum flavum was unclear in this case.
