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Because the abnormal bone formation essentially fuses the ligament and the dura into a solid sheet of bone anterior to the spinal cord, surgical decompression can be exceedingly challenging.
Anterior-Posterior (Includes ACDs and corpectomies)
252+
99%
This article describes the pathology, natural history, diagnosis, and management of cervical OPLL.
Multiple ligaments are responsible for maintaining the alignment and the limiting excessive mobility of the cervical vertebral segments. One of these, the posterior longitudinal ligament, extends in a cranial- caudal fashion from the base of the skull down to the sacrum. It is located immediately behind the vertebral bodies and discs, attached to the annulus (perimeter) of each disc and wraps around the base of each pedicle at each vertebral level. The ligament is anterior to and normally distinct from the dura, separated by the potential epidural space filled by veins and fat. The ligament functions to limit excessive flexion of the cervical spine.
For reasons not well understood (thought to be due to both genetic and environmental factors), in certain individuals, this ligament can undergo extensive abnormal (hypertrophic) bone formation that leads to progressive spinal cord compression and myelopathy. (Please refer to additional articles on Wascherspineinstitute.com for a more thorough description of cervical myelopathy). This is referred to as ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). Because the ossification process often involves both the ligament and the adjacent dura concurrently, the dura can become incorporated into the resulting sheet of bone anterior to the spinal cord. This becomes particularly problematic for a surgeon, not only from a cord compression standpoint but also because resection of the offending calcified mass results in resection of the dura as well. The end result is a very high risk of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak and fistula as well as iatrogenic (post- op) spinal cord injury.
Originally described in the Japanese population, where it affects approximately 4-5% of the population, OPLL is seen in approximately 1.5% of the U.S. population. It most commonly becomes symptomatic in those 40-70 years of age, presenting as a progressive myelopathy. OPLL is more common in the cervical spine than either the thoracic or lumbar segments, although the entire spine may be involved. Presenting symptoms include progressive gait difficult, coordination problems of the hands associated with burning upper extremity pain, as well as upper extremity radicular pain, weakness and numbness. Diagnosis is based on MRI to determine the degree of cord compression as well as to identify the number of levels involved; CT of the cervical spine is indicated as well to confirm signal changes associated with the presence of the abnormal bone anterior to the cord as well as to determine the “occupation ratio.” (See below.)
Two forms of OPLL have been described: a continuous form (with a longitudinal sheet of bone extending behind the vertebral bodies, more likely to result in eventual myelopathy) and a segmental form with focal calcification primarily at the level of the disc spaces. In both forms, conservative management is initially indicated for those who present with radiographic evidence of the disease without overt myelopathy. However, these asymptomatic patients are more prone to spinal cord injury resulting from minimal falls.
Unfortunately, if presenting symptoms show myelopathic features, progression is common and operative decompression is indicated. The Occupation Ratio refers to a measure on CT of the anterior-posterior distance of the spinal canal occupied by the abnormal bone divided by the expected normal anterior-posterior distance of the canal at this level. An occupational ratio of 30-60% predicts the development of myelopathy, while a ratio of greater than 60% requires immediate surgical decompression in almost all patients healthy enough to tolerate the surgery.
Surgical intervention includes consideration for anterior, posterior, or combined anterior-posterior decompression. It has been our preference, in severe cases , to first perform a multilevel anterior cervical corpectomy using structural radius allograft to fuse the affected levels associated with anterior cervical plating as a Stage I procedure. This is followed within a few days to weeks with cervical laminectomies with fusion and lateral mass/pedicle screw instrumentation at the affected levels to increase the chance for a solid fusion, recreate the normal posterior cervical tether, and avoid development of post-operative kyphosis (abnormal backward curvature of the spine).
The anterior decompression is technically demanding. Extreme care and precise microsurgical techniques must be employed to avoid an extensive cerebrospinal fluid leak due to the pathologic fusion of the dura to the OPLL. Often, a lumbar drain (a small silastic tube inserted at the time of surgery into the lumbar spine to purposely drain spinal fluid as required, to take the pressure off the site of the cervical dural repair) will be used post-operatively for several days to assist in healing. Anterior decompression is associated with a greater rate of return of neurologic function and is associated with those complications usually associated with anterior cervical corpectomies. (See the associated article on Wascherspineinstitute.com for further information.) One alternative is to perform a “floating decompression” whereby the anterior decompression is designed to leave a thinned island of bone (composed of remnants of the OPLL and calcified dura measuring 2-3 mm in thickness). This bony island is created by dividing the OPLL along its cranial and caudal extents after thinning the anterior bone to create a trough of 16-18 mm in width followed by dividing the OPLL lateral at its attachment points. The resulting island of bone is then allowed to float anteriorly, theoretically minimizing the risk of CSF leak caused by manipulation of the calcified dura. Conceptually a good idea, this is practically “easier said than done,” and remains a technically demanding procedure if a spinal fluid leak is to be avoided.
Posterior decompression alone is to be avoided in the presence of significant (> 15-20 degrees) cervical kyphosis. Laminaplasty (a procedure wherein the lamina is hinged laterally and opened like a door where it is secured in position; this allows for in situ enlargement of the spinal canal) is mentioned only to be avoided. It is associated with an unacceptably high rate of chronic pain, post-operative C5 radiculopathy, and recurrent stenosis.
Overall, the best results for severe cervical OPLL appear to result from combined anterior-posterior decompression, fusion, and instrumentation, especially with those patients presenting with an occupancy ratio of 60% or greater. Our preference is to always perform a posterior decompression, fusion and instrumentation if a corpectomy of 2 or more levels is required first. Care is taken to avoid complete resection of the C2 and C7 laminae to minimize the development of delayed (glacial) instability.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a cervical myelopathy due to OPLL or any other cause and has questions, feel free to call us today at +1-(855)-854-9274 for a free MRI review. Second opinions are always available.
The following case study illustrates the complexity of a patient with multi-level continuous cervical OPLL presenting with a progressively severe cervical myelopathy and a high occupation ratio requiring anterior-posterior surgery.
