Frontiers in Surgery (Jun 2022)

Case Report: Multilevel Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum in a Patient With Spinal Osteoblastoma

  • Canada T. Montgomery,
  • Stephen P. Miranda,
  • Ernest Nelson,
  • Katie Louka,
  • MacLean Nasrallah,
  • Paul J. Zhang,
  • Joel Stein,
  • Dmitriy Petrov

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fsurg.2022.890965
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9

Abstract

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IntroductionSpinal osteoblastomas are primary benign bone tumors most commonly presenting as diffuse back pain in young adults. Rarely, spinal osteoblastoma is associated with ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF), a form of ectopic bone formation, which can present with myelopathy. This report highlights a unique case of a patient with spinal osteoblastoma, associated OLF, and thoracic myelopathy.Case DescriptionThe patient presented with subtle myelopathy consisting of mid-thoracic back pain, paresthesias, and gait instability. Imaging findings were suggestive of spinal osteoblastoma with multifocal OLF. The patient was consented for thoracic decompression and stabilization at the T6-10 levels. Histopathology confirmed osteoblastoma with associated OLF. At follow up, the patient’s neurological symptoms had completely resolved.ConclusionThis case describes management for a rare presentation of osteoblastoma with associated OLF and myelopathy. Surgeons should be wary of disproportionate neurological compromise when spinal osteoblastoma is associated with OLF. Further study is required to elucidate the pathogenesis of this condition.

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