A case of ossification of the cervical anterior longitudinal ligament

Surgical management of ossification of the cervical anterior longitudinal ligament (OALL) associated with ossification of the cervical posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) was reported. A 83-year-old man was admitted to our hospital complaining of dysphagia and moderate myelopathy. Imaging studies, including esophagoscopy, revealed marked esophageal compression due to OALL that extended C2-C6 levels and OPLL (C4-C5 level) that compressed the cervical spinal cord. In anterior approach, the use of rongeurs and a high-speed drill facilitated excision of OALL and trans-vertebral anterior decompression without fusion was performed for the resection of OPLL. Postoperatively, patient's dysphagia and symptoms of myelopathy immediately resolved. Patients with dysphagia and coexisting myelopathy benefit from simultaneous surgery for resection of OALL and OPLL by anterior approach.