Journal of spinal disorders & techniques
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J Spinal Disord Tech · Jun 2015
Factors associated with intramedullary MRI abnormalities in patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.
A retrospective clinical study of 113 patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), who underwent either anterior or posterior surgery between 2006 and 2009. ⋯ As intramedullary spinal cord changes in signal intensity on MRI indicated severe damage to spinal cord and poor prognosis as we described before, early surgery is suggested for patients with OPLL who manifest one of the following factors: prolonged symptoms, high occupying ratio, low preoperative JOA score, kyphosis, or instability of the cervical spine. These factors are closely related to the intramedullary spinal cord changes in signal intensity on MRI.