CHEN Chao,WANG Yan,ZHANG Xuesong.A retrospective analysis on the role of K-line in determining surgical strategy for cervical ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament[J].Chinese Journal of Spine and Spinal Cord,2009,(11):836-839.
A retrospective analysis on the role of K-line in determining surgical strategy for cervical ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament
Received:June 17, 2009  Revised:July 01, 2009
English Keywords:Ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament  Myelopathy  K-line  Surgical approach
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Author NameAffiliation
CHEN Chao Department of OrthopedicsPLA General HospitalBeijing100853China 
WANG Yan  
ZHANG Xuesong  
肖嵩华  
张永刚  
刘郑生  
王 征  
毛克亚  
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English Abstract:
  【Abstract】 Objective:To verify the role of the line connecting the midpoints of spine canal at C2 and C7 on lateral radiograph(K-line) on determining surgical strategy for cervical ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament(OPLL).Method:From May 2000 to April 2008,35 patients(25 males and 10 females) suffered from cervical myelopathy due to OPLL underwent posterior decompression and laminectomy were reviewed retrospectively.The mean age at surgery was 54.6 years old(range,35-73 years old).All patients were classified into 2 groups according to their K-line relating to the range of OPLL,K-line positive(OPLL beyond K-line) and K-line negative(OPLL not beyond K-line).The Japanese Orthopedic Association scores before surgery and 1 year after surgery were recorded,and the improve rate was calculated.Result:24 patients were classified as K-line(+),and 11 patients as K-line(-).The JOA score of K-line(+) group improved from pre-operative 8.6 to 13.8 at 1 year after operation,with an average improvement of 5.2.The score of K-line(-) group increased from pre-operative 6.6 to 9.8 at 1 year after operation,with the mean improvement of 3.2.The mean JOA improve rate was 64.2% for the K-line(+) group and 30.8% for the K-line(-) group(P<0.001).Conclusion:As a simple and practical index,the K-line can effectively predict the surgical outcome of posterior decompression for cervical OPLL and therefor is useful for surgeons to determine the appropriate surgical strategy.
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