2020 Volume 11 Issue 6 Pages 918-922
Introduction: It has been reported that diagnosis of thoracic ossification of the ligament flavum (OLF) is delayed.
Methods: We retrospectively investigated neurosymptoms and the causes of delayed diagnosis of OLF.
Results: The diagnosis rate of OLF at the first visit was 39%. The final diagnosis was mostly delayed. The average delay period until diagnosis was 10.4 months. The compressed spinal cord group included many patients with deep tendon hyperreflexia and lumbar canal stenosis on MRI. In the conus group and epiconus group, patients had symptoms such as lumbar canal stenosis. These may be the cause of a delay in diagnosis.
Conclusions: It is important to pay careful attention to avoid overlooking the possible presence of thoracolumbar junction disease on lumbar spine MRI.
