Abstract
We report a case of a 76-year-old man with cervical spondylotic myelopathy acconpanied by calcification of the ligamentum flavum. The patient complained of numbness with bilateral fingers and precise motion disturbance a year and a half ago, and expressed conspicuous spastic gaits three months ago. MRI scanning showed spinal canal stenosis and CTM revealed calcification of the ligamentum flavum especially at C3/4. We performed spinous process-splitting laminoplasty, which decreased their symptoms.
Under a scanning electron microscope, we examined the surgical specimen extracted from the ligamentum flavum. It included shaped crystalline structures extensively. Results of chemical composition analysis suggested crystal as calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD), but did not confirm the existence of hydroxyapatites (HAP).
