RADICULOMYELOPATHY DUE TO TUMORAL CALCIFICATION OF THE LIGAMENTUM FLAVUM OF THE CERVICAL SPINE

Abstract

A case of a 68-year-old woman with radiculomyelopathy caused by unilateral tumoral calcification of the ligamentum flavum of the cervical spine is reported. The patient developed the left shoulder pain and tetraparesis in the previous two years, and the symptoms has deteriorated in spite of conservative therapy. Neurological examination revealed motor weakness, hyperreflexia and hypesthesia in the four extremities. Neuroradiologically, a unilateral nodular opacification was shown in the left C4-C5 level. CT scan revealed nodular calcification, and MRI showed marked compression of the cervical cord by the calcified mass. Removal of the calcification through the left hemilaminectomy was performed using ultrasonic bone curettage. Light microscopic examination showed calcified deposits in the ligamentum flavum without crystals of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD). The patient was discharged from the hospital with improvement of the neurological symptoms