Scientific Reports (Jun 2017)

Imaging grading system for the diagnosis of dural ossification based on 102 segments of TOLF CT bone-window data

  • Sheng-yuan Zhou,
  • Bo Yuan,
  • Xiong-sheng Chen,
  • Xue-bin Li,
  • Wei Zhu,
  • Lian-shun Jia

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-03178-x
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 1
pp. 1 – 5

Abstract

Read online

Abstract Thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum (TOLF) complicated with dural ossification (DO) is a severe clinical disease. The diagnosis of DO preoperatively remains challenging. The current study retrospectively analyzed imaging features of 102 segments with TOLF from 39 patients and proposed a grading system for evaluating DO risk. Logistic regression results showed that unilateral spinal canal occupational rate (UCOR), tram track signs, and C-signs were all risk factors for DO (odds ratios of 5.393, 19.734 and 72.594, respectively). In validation analyses for the TOLF-DO grading system, sensitivity was 76.0% (19/25), specificity was 91.0% (70/77), and Youden’s index was 0.66. Thus, implementation of the TOLF-DO grading system has the potential to improve the diagnosis of DO.