Case Report

Syringomyelia Secondary to Ossified Ligamentum Flavum Treated with Unilateral Approach and Bilateral Decompression: A Case Report

Volume: 11 Number: 2 May 18, 2026
TR EN

Syringomyelia Secondary to Ossified Ligamentum Flavum Treated with Unilateral Approach and Bilateral Decompression: A Case Report

Abstract

Syringomyelia is most commonly associated with Chiari malformation, tumors, trauma, or arachnoiditis; however, its occurrence secondary to ossification of the ligamentum flavum is extremely rare. A 51 year old woman presented with long-standing back pain, right leg pain, muscle spasms, and numbness in the thigh. Neurological examination revealed decreased pain and temperature sensation in the T10 dermatome and mild spasticity in the lower extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated bilateral OLF at the T10–T11 level causing spinal canal stenosis and associated syringomyelia extending 73 mm longitudinally. Computed tomography confirmed fused type ossification of the ligamentum flavum according to the Sato classification, with a 49.3% reduction in anteroposterior canal diameter. The patient underwent a unilateral approach with bilateral decompression at T9–T10 and T10–T11. Postoperatively, clinical symptoms improved markedly, and follow-up imaging demonstrated regression of the syrinx and restoration of canal dimensions. This case highlights that thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum can rarely cause syringomyelia. Early surgical decompression, particularly unilateral approach with bilateral decompression, may result in both symptomatic improvement and radiological regression of the syrinx.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

No financial support was received during the preparation of this manuscript.

Ethical Statement

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient included in the case report.

Thanks

None.

References

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  5. Guo, J. J., Luk, K. D., Karppinen, J., Yang, H., & Cheung, K. M. (2010). Prevalence, distribution, and morphology of ossification of the ligamentum flavum: A population study of 1,736 MRI scans. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 35(1), 51–56. https://doi.org/10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181b3f779
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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Brain and Nerve Surgery (Neurosurgery)

Journal Section

Case Report

Publication Date

May 18, 2026

Submission Date

October 5, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 18, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 11 Number: 2

APA
Özkal, B. (2026). Syringomyelia Secondary to Ossified Ligamentum Flavum Treated with Unilateral Approach and Bilateral Decompression: A Case Report. Turkish Medical Journal, 11(2), 79-84. https://doi.org/10.70852/tmj.1797074
AMA
1.Özkal B. Syringomyelia Secondary to Ossified Ligamentum Flavum Treated with Unilateral Approach and Bilateral Decompression: A Case Report. TMJ. 2026;11(2):79-84. doi:10.70852/tmj.1797074
Chicago
Özkal, Birol. 2026. “Syringomyelia Secondary to Ossified Ligamentum Flavum Treated With Unilateral Approach and Bilateral Decompression: A Case Report”. Turkish Medical Journal 11 (2): 79-84. https://doi.org/10.70852/tmj.1797074.
EndNote
Özkal B (May 1, 2026) Syringomyelia Secondary to Ossified Ligamentum Flavum Treated with Unilateral Approach and Bilateral Decompression: A Case Report. Turkish Medical Journal 11 2 79–84.
IEEE
[1]B. Özkal, “Syringomyelia Secondary to Ossified Ligamentum Flavum Treated with Unilateral Approach and Bilateral Decompression: A Case Report”, TMJ, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 79–84, May 2026, doi: 10.70852/tmj.1797074.
ISNAD
Özkal, Birol. “Syringomyelia Secondary to Ossified Ligamentum Flavum Treated With Unilateral Approach and Bilateral Decompression: A Case Report”. Turkish Medical Journal 11/2 (May 1, 2026): 79-84. https://doi.org/10.70852/tmj.1797074.
JAMA
1.Özkal B. Syringomyelia Secondary to Ossified Ligamentum Flavum Treated with Unilateral Approach and Bilateral Decompression: A Case Report. TMJ. 2026;11:79–84.
MLA
Özkal, Birol. “Syringomyelia Secondary to Ossified Ligamentum Flavum Treated With Unilateral Approach and Bilateral Decompression: A Case Report”. Turkish Medical Journal, vol. 11, no. 2, May 2026, pp. 79-84, doi:10.70852/tmj.1797074.
Vancouver
1.Birol Özkal. Syringomyelia Secondary to Ossified Ligamentum Flavum Treated with Unilateral Approach and Bilateral Decompression: A Case Report. TMJ. 2026 May 1;11(2):79-84. doi:10.70852/tmj.1797074

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