Cervical Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament: A Computed Tomography–Based Epidemiological Study of 2917 Patients

Abstract

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Objectives: To identify prevalence of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of the cervical spine in a large sample, to characterize spinal involvement, and to identify associations with patient characteristics. Methods: Computed tomography (CT) scans of all patients receiving cervical spine CT imaging in a level-1 emergency department from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 were reviewed. Diagnosis and classification of OPLL was performed, and data for associated patients was obtained (age, sex, race, ethnicity, body mass index, diabetes). US Census data was referenced for the sample population. Statistical analysis included t test and chi-square testing, with significance cutoff P