 |
|
Hypertrophy of the Ligamentum FlavumSecondary Cord Syndrome in an Acromegalic
Howard H. Kaufman, MD;
Ayub K. Ommaya, FRCS;
John L. Dopman, MD;
Joel A. Roth, MD
Arch Neurol. 1971;25(3):256-259.
Abstract
Neurological deficits were found at the level of the lumbar spinal cord and roots in a patient with acromegaly. Myelographic and surgical examination revealed this to be due to compression by thickened ligamentum flavum. Although ligamentum flavum hypertrophy is not uncommon, it is usually seen in trauma as a result of tearing and scar formation or in spondylosis. This is the first case report of such a condition due to acromegaly in which the neurological symptoms are more often due to peripheral nerve and muscle abnormalities. Pathological examination of the excised ligamentum flavum revealed normal elastic tissue as compared to several surgical and postmortem specimens. Relief of neurological deficits followed excision of the hypertrophic ligamentum flavum.
Author Affiliations
Bethesda, Md
From the Branch of Surgical Neurology, National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (Drs. Kaufman and Ommaya), Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Clinical Center (Dr. Doppman), and the Pathologic Anatomy Branch, National Cancer Institute (Dr. Roth), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md. Dr. Doppman is now with the Radiology Department, University Hospital of San Diego County, San Diego, Calif. Dr. Kaufman is now with the Department of Neurosurgery, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, New York.
Footnotes
Accepted for publication Feb 17, 1971.
Reprint requests to Branch of Surgical Neurology, National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke, Bldg 10, Room 4N-244, Bethesda, Md 20014 (Dr. Ommaya).
 CiteULike  Connotea  Del.icio.us  Digg  Reddit  Technorati  Twitter
What's this?
|
