Progression of Ossification of the Anterior Longitudinal Ligament Associated With Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis by Age: A Study of Computed Tomography Findings Over 5 Years. Issue 5 (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Murakami, Yusuke; Morino, Tadao; Hino, Masayuki; Misaki, Hiroshi; Miura, Hiromasa
• Is Part Of: Global spine journal. Volume 11:Issue 5(2021)
• Page Start: 656
• Page End: 661
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) -- thoracic and lumbar spine -- CT -- ligament ossification -- progression of ossification; Spine -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Spine -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Spine -- Abnormalities -- Periodicals; Spine -- Surgery -- Periodicals; 616.73
• DOI: 10.1177/2192568220918817
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2192-5682

Abstract

Study Design: Observational study. Objective: To investigate whether the progression of anterior longitudinal ligament ossification varies by age among patients with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH). Methods: Of the patients who underwent computed tomography (CT) of the thoracic to pelvic region at least twice from 2009 to 2018, 191 who underwent CT at an interval of 5 years and 0 months to 5 years and 2 months were enrolled (87 men and 104 women). Sex, age at the time of the first CT scan, the presence/absence of DISH, level of complete vertebral body fusion associated with DISH, and extent of ligament ossification using the modified Mata scoring system were investigated. Results: DISHs were detected in 53 (27.7%) of 191 patients. The score of ligament ossification increased over time in 35 (66%) of 53 patients; 93 intervertebral spaces were affected. The percentage of completely fused intervertebral spaces increased by 6.7% from 31.3% to 38.0% over time. The increase in score for all intervertebral spaces in individual patients was significantly greater in the ≤70 years old group (2.7 ± 2.8 points, n = 28) than in the ≥71 years old group (1.2 ± 1.4 points; n = 25; P = .028). The mean age of patients with a recorded score that increased by ≥1 point was 67.4 years and that of patients without any change in the score was 73.3 years ( P = .036). Thus, patients with recorded changes in the score were younger. Conclusion: During the approximately 5-year period, ossification progressed more in younger patients than in older patients.