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 C2-3 level. In case of upper cervical OPLL, we need an attention to phrenic nerve palsy.