Clinical manifestations of thoracic OPLL and OLF

Introduction Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is far less common in the thoracic spine than in the cervical spine; and the rate of occurrence, natural history, and optimal treatment of this condition are yet to be investigated. Because progressive deterioration of the neurological symptoms due to thoracic OPLL often severely impairs patients? activities of daily living and quality of life, awareness of this clinical entity is important. Ossification of the ligamentum fl avum (OLF) is mostly found in the thoracic spine and is a frequent cause of thoracic myelopathy. In this chapter, the clinical and neurological manifestations of thoracic OPLL and OLF are reviewed.