HTLV-1-Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis Overlapping Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum

Abstract

HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is an important cause of nontraumatic and noncompressive chronic myelopathy which generally has no improvement regardless of treatment. On the other hand, ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) is also a cause of myelopathy; however, it can improve in some cases when surgical treatment is well applied. In this case report, we presented a case of a patient with HAM/TSP overlapping OLF which showed some improvement with surgical treatment.

Keywords

• chronic myelopathy
• tropical spastic paraparesis
• ossification of the ligamentum flavum