Epidemiological survey of ossification of the ligamentum flavum in thoracic spine：CT imaging observa?鄄tion of 993 cases

English Keywords:Ossification  Ligamentum flavum  Thoracic spine  Prevalence

English Abstract:

  【Abstract】 Objective：To evaluate the prevalence，morphology，and distribution of ossification of the ligamentum flavum in thoracic spine.Methods：Retrospective analysis was made on 993 patients（M∶F=506∶487） with chest sympotoms who underwent MDCT since February 2010 in our hospital.The mean age was 60 years(range=5-102).Sagittal and axial images were analysed together.The segment，thickness，location and the condition about the dural sac were recorded.Result：The prevalence in male（68.5%） was higher than that in female（59.0%）.The highest prevalence was in the patients in 50-59 years age group，but OLF also happened early in 10-19 years age group.The highest prevalence was in T10-11（44.0%） and T11-12（41.6%）.Conclusion：The prevalence of ossification of the ligamentum flavum was highest in 50-59 years age group but also happened in early age.OLF occurs more frenquently in the lower than upper and middle thoracic region and its prevalence is getting higher with aging.