胸椎黄韧带骨化影像学与病理学对照研究

目的 分析胸椎黄韧带骨化的X线片．CT、MRI影像学表现及其病理学特征和发展过程．对照研究其间的对应关系，探讨从影像学手段判断黄韧带骨化程度及发展趋势的依据：方法 24例因胸椎黄韧带骨化而行手术治疗的患者．男18例，女6例；年龄42～76岁，平均57．9岁，所有患者均行后路胸椎管后壁切除减压术，手术所切除的73个骨化节段均进行X线、CT、MRI及病理学分型。将骨化在CT横断面扫描骨窗条件下的形态分为均匀型和不均匀型在MRI T2加权像上将黄韧带骨化的信号与脊髓信号对比，分为无信号．低信号、等信号及高信号。根据骨化的病理组织学形态，将黄韧带骨化分为成熟型与不成熟型，对每例患者的1～2个主要压迫节段的骨化韧带组织切片行TGF-β1的免疫组织化学定位表达．共计27个节段。结果 73个胸椎黄韧带骨化节段的病理组织学形态与CT分型及MRI信号表现的关系为：在CT上18个均匀型骨化节段均为成熟型骨化；55个不均匀型骨化节段中，51个为非成熟型骨化．4个为成熟型骨化，在MRI上22个无信号骨化节段均为成熟型骨化节段；50个低信号骨化节段均为非成熟型骨化节段；1个等信号骨化节段为非成熟型骨化。MRI与病理组织学形态对应关系的一致率为100％．CT与病理组织学形态对应关系的一致率为94.5％。结论 临床上可以将黄韧带骨化的CT及MRI的影像学表现作为判断黄韧带骨化程度及发展趋势的参考依据。     

经根黄通道减压手术治疗连续型胸椎黄韧带骨化症

【摘要】 目的：探讨经根黄通道减压手术治疗连续型胸椎黄韧带骨化症的可行性和疗效。方法：2006年6月~2012年9月采用经根黄通道八边形游离整块切除法治疗连续型胸椎黄韧带骨化症患者56例,男35例,女21例;年龄31~73岁,平均51.9岁。连续两节段骨化减压41例,连续三节段骨化减压10例,连续四节段骨化减压4例,连续五节段骨化减压1例。共减压133个骨化节段,其中CT分型45个为单侧型骨化,34个为双侧型骨化,54个为连接型骨化。CT仿真内窥镜观察所有减压的骨化节段中共有上、下根黄通道各221个,其中单侧型骨化节段有上、下根黄通道各1个,双侧型和连接型有上、下根黄通道各2个。术前和术后2d、1个月、3个月及末次随访时采用日本骨科协会（JOA）评分评估神经功能情况。结果：均顺利完成手术,手术时间3.7±0.8h,术中出血量260±120ml。51例术后症状立即缓解;5例发生脑脊液漏,经对症处理后痊愈。所有病例术后伤口均一期愈合,无窦道形成、蛛网膜下腔感染、神经症状加重等并发症发生。随访13～38个月,平均23.2个月。术后2d、1个月、3个月和末次随访的JOA评分分别为6.37±2.89、8.73±1.58、9.45±1.03、9.67±1.07分,与术前评分5.14±1.59分比较,神经功能明显改善（P<0.05）。末次随访时,JOA评分改善率为50%~100%,平均（75.24±18.01）%;疗效为优38例,良13例,可5例,优良率为91.07%。结论：经根黄通道减压手术是治疗连续型胸椎黄韧带骨化症可行、有效、相对安全和简便的方法。     

胸椎黄韧带骨化症合并脊髓型颈椎病的临床诊断要点

目的总结胸椎黄韧带骨化症合并脊髓型颈椎病的临床特点,探讨避免漏诊胸椎黄韧带骨化症的方法。方法对比分析胸椎黄韧带骨化症合并脊髓型颈椎病和单纯脊髓型颈椎病的临床表现、影像学表现、JOA评分的异同。结果共收集35例胸椎黄韧带骨化症合并脊髓型颈椎病病例,其中20例合并连续型颈椎后纵韧带骨化和/或弥漫性特发性骨肥厚症,14例是因颈椎MRI发现上胸椎黄韧带骨化后进一步行全胸椎MRI检查后确诊;胸椎黄韧带骨化症合并脊髓型颈椎病者的上肢功能评分构成比较单纯脊髓型颈椎病者为高(p<0.05)。结论胸椎黄韧带骨化症合并脊髓型颈椎病的诊断须综合分析病史、体征和影像学表现;JOA脊髓功能评分可以为其确诊提供帮助。     

胸椎黄韧带骨化椎管侵占与神经损害的关系

目的探讨胸椎黄韧带骨化椎管侵占引发脊髓损害的临界值,建立脊柱多节段病变中确定责任节段的影像学诊断标准。方法采用病例对照研究,病例组取2002年1月至2007年4月因胸椎黄韧带骨化症行手术治疗者43例;对照组取2006年6月至2007年4月CT检查发现胸椎黄韧带骨化,而就诊前无明确神经损害者22例。在CT片上测量椎管矢状径、椎管发育性矢状径、椎管面积、椎管发育性面积,计算椎管矢状径残余率、椎管面积残余率。病例组患者的神经损害程度用JOA评分确定。结果影像学上椎管面积残余率与JOA评分相关性最大（r=0.449,P=0.003）。椎管面积残余率临界值取80%时诊断总符合率最高,其诊断灵敏度为93.0%,特异度为95.5%。结论（1）胸椎黄韧带骨化椎管侵占程度与神经损害程度相关,椎管面积残余率可以反映神经损害程度。（2）CT椎管面积残余率小于80%可作为胸椎黄韧带骨化引发脊髓损害的影像学标准。     

胸椎黄韧带骨化症合并硬脊膜骨化的研究进展

黄韧带骨化是指脊柱间黄韧带内的纤维组织转化为骨性组织的病理生理结果[1].黄韧带骨化在颈椎、胸椎、腰椎均可发生,以胸椎特别是下胸椎(T9～T12)最多见[2-5],好发于40～60岁成年人.黄韧带骨化是胸椎管狭窄一个最常见、最重要的原因[6-7].随着黄韧带骨化程度的逐渐加重,黄韧带比邻的椎板、关节突、硬脊膜均可出现增生肥厚及骨化,从不全骨化到完全骨化,最终累及硬脊膜,形成硬脊膜骨化,巨大的骨性组织对胸脊髓产生压迫,出现相应的临床症状和体征[8].     

胸椎黄韧带骨化的外科治疗及其疗效分析

目的:根据CT分型分别采取不同手术方法治疗胸椎黄韧带骨化合并脊髓病,并探讨其疗效。方法:对2001年1月至2010年6月收治的胸椎黄韧带骨化合并脊髓病30例患者进行回顾性分析,男22例,女8例;年龄37～68岁,平均52.8岁;病程2个月～6年。单节段孤立性黄韧带骨化11例;多节段黄韧带骨化19例,其中2例合并颈椎黄韧带骨化,1例合并后纵韧带骨化。上胸段(T1,2-T4,5)5例,中胸段(T5,6-T8,9)7例,下胸段(T9,10-T11,12)12例,上中胸段联合2例,中下胸段联合4例。根据骨化节段CT表现将其分为两种类型:单纯型18个节段,骨化黄韧带单侧,骨化较薄或双侧均较薄,未融合;复杂型42个节段,骨化黄韧带弥漫性融合,或呈结节型。21例表现为上运动神经元瘫,9例表现为上下运动神经元混合瘫;括约肌功能障碍26例,JOA括约肌功能评分为1.97±0.56。改良JOA下肢运动功能评分为1.20±0.76。单纯型行"揭盖法"切除,复杂型行"薄化法"切除。对于减压范围较大者减压后行内固定、后外侧植骨融合。结果:减压2～6个椎板,平均3.1个。3例出现脑脊液漏,1例出现切口处血肿。全部病例获随访,时间12～96个月,平均26个月。22例束带感均消失;28例感觉障碍及下肢麻木、疼痛者中,完全恢复18例,部分恢复10例。术后括约肌功能JOA评分为2.73±0.45,与术前比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。术后JOA下肢运动功能评分为3.57±0.77,与术前比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01),改善率平均为86.1%,优24例,良3例,可2例,差1例。结论:根据不同CT分型采取不同手术方式治疗胸椎黄韧带骨化能提高手术安全性,降低风险。     

胸椎黄韧带骨化症的影像诊断

目的:探讨胸椎黄韧带骨化症的诊断及影像学特点。方法:分析90例胸椎黄韧带骨化症患者的CT和/或MRI资料,并根据影像学特征进行分类。按照MRIT2WI轴位脊髓及硬膜囊的受压迫程度分为轻度、中度、重度。9例获CT或/和MRI检查2年以上随访的患者,选择扫描条件、部位一致的骨化节段对比研究其变化情况。结果:MRI扫描的73例患者共发现黄韧带骨化节段421个。骨化节段呈跳跃性分布35例(46.58%)。多节段发生68例(93.15%)。T2WI轴位扫描的365个节段呈现有压迫:轻度193个节段,中度80个节段,重度92个节段。9例2年以上影像随访患者,随访前CT示均匀性骨化的9个节段,随访时骨化块大小密度无变化;随访前不均匀性骨化6个节段,随访时骨化块增大、密度改变。随访前MRI示骨化为无信号9个节段,随访时骨化块的形态、内部信号、对脊髓的压迫程度均无改变;随访前低信号18个节段,随访时15个节段有不同程度的生长,即对脊髓和硬膜囊的压迫程度加重,骨化块形态改变,3个节段只有骨化块信号的改变,脊髓的受压程度无明显变化。结论:胸椎黄韧带骨化多数病例为多节段,分布无明显规律性。骨化程度与对脊髓的压迫程度并不一致。CT和MRI检查可以作为判断胸椎黄韧带骨化是否成熟的手段。     

胸椎黄韧带骨化的诊断治疗和发病机理研究

胸椎黄韧骨化常引起胸椎管狭窄症 ,狭窄呈节段性 ,往往是多节段 ,从而引起胸椎脊髓病或脊髓神经根病 ,严重者双下肢瘫痪。黄韧带骨化也可发生于颈椎和腰椎 ,但胸椎段多见严重。该病有明显的地域性 ,东亚发生率较高 ,尤其是日本 ,欧美很少发病。我国很多省有病例报道 ,但山西、陕西和内蒙古自治区发病较多。关于胸椎黄韧带骨化的病理 ,我科对西安地区2 1具尸体和近百例患者手术标本进行了病理学观察。 2 1具尸体胸椎标本 9具 (42 .9% )有黄韧带骨化 ,年龄 2 3～ 75岁 ,男 6具女 3具。 9具共 1 0 6节段 ,59节段骨化 (54.6% ) ,每具尸体有 2～ …     

胸椎黄韧带骨化症的CT分型及手术方式选择

目的:探讨胸椎黄韧带骨化症的CT分型及手术治疗方法.方法:1997年1月至2006年12月手术治疗胸椎黄韧带骨化症患者48例102个节段,根据CT表现分为3型,单侧型18个节段,双侧型45个节段,两侧融合型39个节段.单侧型将椎板、关节突内侧和未骨化处磨薄,再把骨化物对侧和头尾侧充分减压使其孤立,用枪状咬钳将关节突内侧磨薄处咬开使其游离,齿镊夹住骨块轻提起由中间向外侧剥离摘除骨块;双侧型将椎板、关节突内侧和未骨化处磨薄,先将骨化物头尾侧充分减压,将中间未骨化黄韧带咬除分隔,使两侧骨化物孤立,再按单侧型手术方法逐块处理;两侧融合型将椎板、关节突内侧和未骨化处磨薄,先将骨化物头尾侧充分减压,从对侧关节突内侧磨薄处咬开使骨化物孤立,再将术侧关节突内侧磨薄处咬开使骨化物游离,齿镊夹住骨块轻提起由对侧向术者侧剥离摘除骨块.术前术后采用改良JOA下肢运动功能评分评价运动功能.结果:全部患者顺利完成手术.手术时间平均2.8h,出血量平均290ml.术后无症状加重病例,1例出现脑脊液漏,经保守治疗后痊愈.40例患者随访5～62个月,平均28个月,JOA下肢运动功能评分术前1.8±1.1分,末次随访时为3.7±0.6分,与术前比较差异有显著性(P<0.01).疗效按JOA评分改善率优32例,良6例,可2例,优良率为95%.结论:对胸椎黄韧带骨化症患者根据CT分型采取不同的手术方式可取得满意的治疗效果.     

胸椎黄韧带骨化症的手术治疗

目的探讨胸椎黄韧带骨化症的手术治疗效果。方法同顾性分析8例胸椎黄韧带骨化症患者的临床表现、影像学特征和手术治疗效果。结果全部病例经术后随访7个月～8年,手术优良率为75％（6／8）：结论手术治疗胸椎黄韧带骨化症疗效满意。     

胸椎黄韧带骨化的临床病因分析

目的 通过对142例胸椎黄韧带骨化症（TOLF）患者临床资料及影像学特点的回顾性研究,从临床的角度探讨该病的不同病因.方法 1989年7月至2005年11月,收治胸椎黄韧带骨化症142例,手术治疗121例.从临床病因学的角度分为三大类型：（1）原发性TOLF（组1,90例）,不合并与黄韧带骨化相关的疾病,且Ca、P、AKP均正常;（2）全身骨化疾病性TOLF（组2,30例）,其中强直性脊柱炎6例,弥漫性特发性骨肥厚症（DISH）3例,氟骨症10例,后纵韧带骨化症（OPLL）11例;（3）脊柱局部病变性TOLF（组3,22例）,其中陈旧性脊柱骨折5例,脊柱结核4例,椎体后缘骨内软骨结节13例.分析各组临床及影像特点,并测量胸椎、胸腰段后凸角,椎体楔变角.按Epstein标准评定手术效果.结果 （1）组1病变类型以连续型居多（67/90,74%）,以局灶型最少（4/90,5%）;组2中,以连续型居多（21/30,70%）,无局灶型病例,发病节数最多（平均每例6.2节）;组3以局灶型多见（18/22,82%）.（2）组1下胸椎及胸腰段最多见（225/486,47%）;组2中病变多累及整个胸椎,12例颈椎、腰椎同时发生OLF;组3骨化部位与原发疾病部位相近.（3）组1 81%（73/90）胸椎曲度无异常,组2 87%（26/30）有异常,组3 82%（18/22）无异常.结论 TOLF由不同病因引起,本研究发现与全身骨化性因素、脊柱的载荷改变、退变等因素有关;应根据病因进行临床分类.     

胸椎黄韧带骨化症手术治疗效果分析

目的:探讨胸椎黄韧带骨化症手术方法和疗效。方法:回顾性分析自2006年10月至2009年10月采用半关节突全椎板切除术手术方法治疗胸椎黄韧带骨化症6例,男4例,女2例;年龄45～66岁,平均55.2岁。术后采用JOA评分法从下肢运动、膀胱功能两方面对疗效进行评定。结果:所有患者获随访,时间2～18个月,平均10.5个月。下肢功能按JOA评定标准:优4例,良1例,差1例。1例差的患者因为脊髓压迫时间过长,MRI显示T2加权像脊髓高信号导致不可逆的脊髓变性及合并有精神分裂症。结论:半关节突全椎板切除减压是胸椎黄韧带骨化症目前较好的手术方式,术中彻底减压和实时的脊髓保护是手术取得成功的关键。     

Thoracic cord compression caused by contiguous multilevel ossification of ligamentum flavum in Chinese patients

OBJECTIVE: To explore the epidemiology, clinical presentation, radiology and surgical treatment outcome in Chinese patients with myelopathy caused by contiguous multilevel ossification of ligamentum flavum. METHODS: Medical notes and imaging data of 18 Chinese patients (14 males and 4 females, aged 43-72 years, mean: 57 years) with myelopathy caused by contiguous multilevel ossification of ligamentum flavum were studied retrospectively in this article. The diagnosis was based on clinical examination, X-ray films, computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning results and pathological results. Sixteen patients were treated by laminectomy and two by laminoplasty. The average follow-up duration was 34 months (range, 28-49 months). The outcome was evaluated by Japanese Orthopaedics Association (JOA) score. RESULTS: The average time for occurring clinical symptoms was 7.5 months (range, 2 days-16 months). All the 18 cases presented with clinical evidences of chronic and progressive thoracic spinal cord compression, which included bilateral leg weakness, spastic gait, numbness in lower limbs, paresthesia in terminal and perineum, and urinary incontinence. Neurological examination revealed severe spastic paraparesis, absence of abdominal reflexes, and reduction of the sensory function below the compression level. The mean JOA score before operation was 3.6 (range, 0-6). MRI and CT scans of the thoracic spine confirmed the presence of contiguous multilevel ossification of the ligamentum flavum. The mean recovery rate after surgery in terms of JOA score was 66.3% (range, 33.3%-100%), with a mean final JOA score of 8.3. Thoracic decompression laminectomy or laminoplasty could result in a good postoperative outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Contiguous multilevel ossification of the ligamentum flavum is not a common cause of myelopathy in Chinese population and should be treated as early as possible. MRI and CT scan examinations may diagnose the presence of thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum (OLF). Posterior decompression, especially with en bloc dissection of the laminae, can obtain satisfactory results.     

Clinical progression of ossification of the ligamentum flavum in thoracic spine: a 10- to 11-year follow-up study

Background

Thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum (TOLF) can be asymptomatic and progress insidiously. But, long-term follow-up results of clinical progression of TOLF are still unknown.

Methods

The clinical progression of 81 patients with TOLF at our center, followed for 10 to 11 (mean, 10.3) years from May 2010 to November 2021, were analyzed. Among them, 51 patients with thoracic myelopathy were caused by single- or multi-segment TOLF, and received partial TOLF resection (30 patients) or total TOLF resection (21 patients). The remaining 30 patients showed TOLF on imaging examinations, but TOLF was not the responsible compressing factor causing myelopathy and with no TOLF resection. The mJOA score (total 11 scores) and spinal operation were used to evaluate the clinical progression at follow-up.

Results

During the 10- to 11-year follow-up of 81 TOLF patients, 71 (87.7%) had no deterioration of neurological function, and 10 (12.3%) patients had deterioration of neurological function and had another spinal operation, including only 4 (4.9%) suffered thoracic myelopathy caused by the progression of TOLF; 6 (7.4%) for other spinal diseases: 2 (2.5%) had fall damage and acute spinal cord injury at the TOLF level; 2 (2.5%) had thoracic myelopathy caused by ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL); 2 (2.5%) had cervical spondylosis and received cervical operation.

Conclusions

Most TOLF (87.7%) patients had no clinical progression and received no reoperations for TOLF in the ten-year dimension (mean, 10.3 years). Narrow spinal canal for TOLF increases the risk of traumatic paraplegia.

     

Prevalence,diagnosis, and impact on clinical outcomes of dural ossification in the thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum: a systematic review

Study design

Systematic review.

Background context

Thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum (TOLF) has become the principal cause of thoracic spinal stenosis. Dural ossification (DO) was a common clinical feature accompanying with TOLF. However, on account of the rarity, we know little about the DO in TOLF so far.

Purpose

This study was conducted to elucidate the prevalence, diagnostic measures, and impact on the clinical outcomes of DO in TOLF by integrating the existing evidence.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Database were comprehensively searched for studies relevant to the prevalence, diagnostic measures, or impact on the clinical outcomes of DO in TOLF. All retrieved studies meeting the inclusion and criterion were included into this systematic review.

Results

The prevalence of DO in TOLF treated surgically was 27% (281/1046), ranging from 11 to 67%. Eight diagnostic measures have been put forward to predict the DO in TOLF using the CT or MRI modalities, including “tram track sign”, “comma sign”, “bridge sign”, “banner cloud sign”, “T2 ring sign”, TOLF-DO grading system, CSAOR grading system, and CCAR grading system. DO did not affect the neurological recovery of TOLF patients treated with the laminectomy. The rate of dural tear or CSF leakage in TOLF patients with DO was approximately 83% (149/180).

Conclusion

The prevalence of DO in TOLF treated surgically was 27%. Eight diagnostic measures have been put forward to predict the DO in TOLF. DO did not affect the neurological recovery of TOLF treated with laminectomy but was associated with high risk of complications.

     

Cervical ligamentum flavum ossification. Two case reports

A 58-year-old woman (Case 1) presented with disturbance of fine movement and gait. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and computed tomography (CT) demonstrated bilateral ossified ligamentum flava at the C3-4 and C4-5 levels and severe cervical canal stenosis. She underwent posterior decompression and despite strong adhesion to the dura mater, the ossified ligamentum flavum was removed without inducing liquorrhea. Her neurological symptoms improved postoperatively. A 63-year-old man (Case 2) was admitted with disturbance of fine movement and gait that had developed gradually. MR imaging and postmyelography CT demonstrated cervical canal stenosis via the ossified posterior longitudinal ligament at the C4-6 levels and ossified ligamentum flavum on the right at the C4-5 levels. He underwent right posterior decompression of C4-5. After right hemilaminectomy of C4-5, the ligamentum flavum was exposed. Neither the ligamentum flavum nor the ossification had adhered to the dura mater, so complete removal was successful and he recovered completely from his neurological symptoms. Diffuse-type ossified ligamentum flavum had adhesion to the dura mater, as in our Case 1, whereas focal-type ossified ligamentum flavum did not, as in our Case 2. This information is useful for treatment planning.     

Surgical results and prognostic factors for thoracic myelopathy caused by ossification of ligamentum flavum: posterior surgery by laminectomy

Background

Thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum (TOLF) of the spine is characterized by a heterotopic bone formation in the thoracic ligamentum flavum, which causes slowly progressing spinal cord injury. Surgical decompression is the most common treatment of choice for patients with compressive myelopathy due to TOLF. However, the surgical outcome is not always satisfactory.

Methods

To identify the predictors of surgical outcome, we retrospectively studied the associations between various clinical and radiological parameters and postoperative recovery in 78 patients who underwent decompressive laminectomy for thoracic myelopathy due to TOLF between October 1998 and June 2011. Surgical outcomes were assessed using modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) recovery rate (RR)/outcome scores.

Results

At a minimum of 1 year after surgery for TOLF treatment, the postoperative clinical scores showed statistically significant changes with improvement in the JOA scores. The results indicated that a longer duration of preoperative symptoms, fused-type TOLF, and the degree of compression of the anteroposterior diameter and ossified region (middle thoracic OLF) was related to poor prognosis.

Conclusion

Early diagnosis and sufficient surgical decompression improved the functional outcomes of TOLF patients. The surgical risk is relatively higher due to the tenuous blood supply of the spinal cord and the limited spinal canal volume of the middle thoracic spine extending from T4 to T9.     

胸椎黄韧带骨化的病理组织学研究

目的：探讨黄韧带骨化的病理变化特点和发生机理。方法：利用组织病理学、组织化学和影像学检查对比研究正常黄韧带和12例骨化黄韧带的病理形态学特点。结果：组织学上可见病变早期出现胶原纤维肿胀、融合,进一步发生软骨化生,最终出现钙化和骨化。在肿胀融合的胶原纤维和软同有化生处可见阿新蓝（pH2.5）阳性的粘液性物质,根据病理学检查特点,结合影像学表现可将黄韧带骨化分为结节型（增生性）、周围型和弥漫型3种类型。结论：韧带的退行性改变是黄韧带骨化的基本原因;胶原纤维的肿胀融合及其粘液样变性是黄韧带骨化的起始病变;黄韧带骨化的大体类型代表着同一病变发展的不同阶段。     

黄韧带骨化机制与骨质疏松症治疗策略

骨质疏松症是最常见的代谢性骨病,因成骨细胞与破骨细胞功能失衡造成。目前常见的骨质疏松症药物旨在抑制骨吸收。为了更有效地治疗骨质疏松症,刺激新骨形成将是重要策略。成骨细胞特异转录因子Osterix(Osx)是骨形成及成骨细胞分化必需的转录因子,被认为是骨分子开关。全基因组关联分析研究已经证实Osx与骨质疏松表型相关,但仍需进一步研究Osx的作用机制,包括探索Osx上游调节因子。骨质疏松症迫切需要促骨形成新药,Osx是理想的新靶点。而临床上的另外一种疾病为寻找Osx上游因子提供了很好的参考,那就是黄韧带骨化(ossification of the ligamentum flavum,OLF)。黄韧带骨化是脊柱韧带病理性异位骨化性疾病,在骨外组织黄韧带里刺激了新骨的形成,其致病机制尚不明确。本文结合近年来有关黄韧带骨化的一些机制研究进行综述,包括力学因素、遗传因素、内分泌以及微量元素、Notch信号通路、miRNA及炎症因子等。最新发现的一些参与黄韧带骨化的相关因子能够刺激Osx基因的表达,希望通过对黄韧带骨化致病机制的研究,为寻找Osx上游调节因子进而研发促骨形成新药治疗骨质疏松症提供新的思路。     

合并腰椎疾患的下胸椎黄韧带骨化临床诊治

目的探讨合并腰椎疾患的下胸椎黄韧带骨化临床特点及诊治方法。方法下胸椎黄韧带骨化同时存在腰椎疾患的患者23例,诊断结合X线、椎管造影、CT、MRI检查,体征以肌张力增高和深反射异常为特点;患者均采用病变节段全椎板减压手术治疗。结果23例均获随访,时间10-36个月,手术减压1-3节胸椎椎板,患者在末次随访时都有不同程度的神经功能改善。术后功能恢复优4例,良13例,可6例。术后到末次随访时无一例患者因腰椎疾病而再次接受手术。结论合并腰椎疾患的下胸椎黄韧带骨化需要注意将客观体征与多种影像学检查相结合,尽早诊断、早期手术。