This publication brings together information on all aspects of OPLL - epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment. It contains contributions by Japanese researchers and surgeons, including members of the Ministry of Health and Welfare Investigation Committee, and by American surgeons with expertise in the field. Until now, little has been published on the subject in English. This collection of reports is amply augmented with illustrations.

Inhalt

History of Research on Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament.- Epidemiology of Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament.- Genetic Background of Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament.- Pathogenesis of Ossification of the Spinal Ligaments.- Pathological Findings of Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament and Ossification of the Spinal Ligaments in an Experimental Animal Model.- Pathology of Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum.- Pathology of Spinal Cord Lesions Caused by Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament.- The Pathogenesis of Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament and Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum with Special Reference to Bone Morphogenetic Proteins and Transforming Growth Factor-?s.- Metabolic Background of Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament.- Clinical Manifestation of Cervical Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament.- Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament in Evolution.- Clinical Manifestation of Thoracic Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament and Ossification of the Yellow Ligament.- Image Diagnosis of Cervical Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament.- Image Diagnosis of Thoracic Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament and Ossification of the Yellow Ligament.- Electrodiagnosis of Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament and Ossification of the Yellow Ligament.- Conservative Treatment of Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament.- Choice of Surgical Procedure for Cervical Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament.- Posterior Decompression for Cervical Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament.- Posterior Cervical Laminaplasty for Myeloradiculopathy: North American Experience.- Anterior Approach (Anterior Floating Method) and Its Surgical Results for Cervical Myelopathy Caused by Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament.- Choice of Surgical Procedure for Thoracic Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament and Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum.- Extensive Cervicothoracic Laminoplastic Decompression of the Spinal Cord: A New Method of Posterior Decompression for Thoracic Myelopathy Caused by Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament.- Circumferential Decompression for Thoracic Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament and Ossification of the Yellow Ligament.- Lateral Rhachotomy.- Appendix: Scoring Systems for Cervical Myelopathy (Japanese Orthopaedic Association).