Ossification of the cervical posterior longitudinal ligament with severe myelopathy and fatal outcome.

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament is rare among Caucasians. We describe a new case with lethal outcome and we discuss the radiographic and pathologic findings. Posterior longitudinal ligament ossification is a benign disease in most cases, but it may cause severe myelopathy due to spinal stenosis. Diagnosis may be suspected or made on lateral views of the cervical spine and ascertained by CT.