The relationship between the prevalance and size of lumbar ossified ligamentum flavum and the presence and degree of facet joint degeneration

Objectives: To investigate whether there is any relationship between the prevalence and the dimension of OLF and the presence and degree of facet joint degeneration. In addition, it revealed the prevalence and distribution of lumbar OLF with regard to age and spinal levels. Methods: The stone protocol abdominal CT images of 114 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Presence of OLF, degenerative changes in the posterior vertebral elements was evaluated on axial CT images and incidence for each finding was determined. Additionally, the degree of facet joint degeneration and size of OLF was evaluated and recorded. All findings were also grouped based on age and lumbar level. Results: OLF has been observed in 40 (35%) individuals at 76 (13%) lumbar levels. OLF has been most frequently encountered at the upper lumbar levels. Its frequency and size showed correlation to increased age. Frequency of OLF correlated with the presence of degenerative changes of in the posterior elements (p < 0.001). There was an association between the OLF size and the presence (p = 0.001) and degree of the degeneration in the posterior elements. There was no lumbar level case where the degree of OLF would lead to enough narrowing to be symptomatic. Conclusions: OLF prevalence and sizes increase parallel to age. Posterior elements' degenerative changes facilitate OLF development. A close relation exists between OLF size and facet joint degeneration. A direct relationship exists between OLF size and the degree of posterior elements degeneration. It is highly probable for lumbar level OLF size to be insufficient to cause any symptoms. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.