Review of histopathological studies on OPLL of the cervical spine, with insights into the mechanism

Abstract

Introduction Since the fi rst report on ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) by Tsukimoto in 1960 [1], extensive studies of OPLL have been performed from various aspects. Microscopic histopathological investigations of OPLL specimens, obtained during surgery or from postmortem examinations, including those of OPLL-related deaths, revealed the fundamental aspects of OPLL pathology [2-14]. This, in turn, stimulated studies on OPLL in various related fields [13]. This chapter describes the important histopathological fi ndings of OPLL and their contribution to resolving OPLLrelated difficulties. © Springer 2006.