Two Cases of Phrenic Nerve Palsy in a Cervical Myelopathy Caused by Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Abstract

Two cases of phrenic nerve palsy in an ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) were admitted and underwent operations on cervical spine. A 57-year-old man had been performed cervical laminoplasty (C₂-C₇). A month after surgery, he was weaned from artificial respirator, and gained vital capacity by 1, 230ml, and %vc, 36.6%. Seven months post-Operation he was discharged on his feet.
A 55-year-old woman had been operated (C₂-C₇) on due to left phrenic palsy and myelopathy in OPLL. Three months after surgery the neurological deficits were almost fully recovered.
Cervical X-ray films of Both cases revealed the peak of OPLL to be on the third cervical spine and the myelogram showed block at C_2-3 level. In case of upper cervical OPLL, we need an attention to phrenic nerve palsy.