Main description:

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.

Contents:

Part 1 Introduction 1 History of research Part 2 Epidemiology 2 An Overview of Epidemiology and Genetics 3 OPLL: Disease entity, prevalence, literature research, and growth 4 Natural History of Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (OPLL) Part 3 Pathology & Pathogenesis 5 Overview of Recent Basic Researches on OPLL and OLF 6 Histopathological Features of Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament 7 Ectopic Ossification of Human Spinal Ligaments Caused by Mesenchymal Stem Cell Abnormalities 8 A Short History of Genetic Study of OPLL 9 Overview of possible roles of OPLL-associated genes in OPLL development 10 Application of iPS cell technology for OPLL 11 Mechanisms underlying OPLL development in Tiptoe Walking (ttw) Mice 12 In vivo tracing of neural tracts in tip-toe walking Yoshimura mice by diffusion tensor tractography 13 Metabolomics analysis in OPLL patients Part 4 Diagnosis 14 Diagnosis of OPLL and OLF: overview 15 Clinical manifestation of cervical OPLL 16 Three-dimensional imaging of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament 17 Clinical manifestations of thoracic ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and ossification of the ligament flavum (OLF) 18 Evaluation of distribution patterns of spinal ligament ossification using whole-spine computed tomography in patients with cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament 19 Diagnostic imaging of thoracic OPLL and OLF 20 Biomechanics of the spinal cord compression due to cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament Part 5 Treatment 21 Surgical Indications and Choice of Surgical Procedure for Cervical Ossification of the Longitudinal Ligament 22 Overview of Laminoplasty 23 Open-door Laminoplasty for Cervical OPLL: Technique, Long-term Results, and Complications 24 Double-door Laminoplasty for Cervical OPLL : Technique, Complications and Long-term Results 25 Posterior Decompression and Fusion for Cervical OPLL: Indication and Technique 26 Anterior Cervical Decompression for Cervical OPLL: Technique, Complications and Long-term Results 27 Surgical Indications and Choice of Surgical Procedure for Thoracic OPLL 28 Posterior decompression and fusion for thoracic OPLL: surgical techniques, outcomes, timing and complications 29 Anterior Decompression and Fusion for Thoracic OPLL: Transthoracic and Transsternal Approaches 30 Circumferential Decompression Through Posterior Approach for Thoracic OPLL: Technique and Complications 31 Surgery for ossification of the ligamentum flavum: posterior decompression with or without fusion 32 Computer-Aided Surgery for Ossification of the Spinal Ligaments 33 Surgical Treatment of Thoracic Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament: Intraoperative Spinal Cord Monitoring 34 Intraoperative ultrasonography for patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament