Surgical management of symptomatic ossified anterior longitudinal ligament: A case report

BACKGROUND: Ossified anterior longitudinal ligament (OALL) of the cervical spine can cause dysphagia, dyspnoea, and dysphonia, although these symptoms are rare. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 71-year-old male presented with gradually progressive dysphagia secondary to OALL. He underwent fiber optic endoscopy and lateral video fluoroscopy. The OALL extended from C4 to C7 and contributed to significant compression of the pharynx as demonstrated on plain cervical radiography, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and computed tomography (CT). Following microsurgical resection of the OALL, his symptoms improved. CONCLUSIONS: This study focuses on the clinical and radiographic presentation of OALL; the latter utilizing plain X-rays, MR, and CT studies. Notably, surgical resection is straightforward and allows for immediate decompression of the pharynx as long as it is truly the symptomatic problem.