• N E Epstein.
• New York University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA. Don@psych.columbia.edu
• Spine. 2001 Jan 15; 26 (2): 182-6.

Study DesignTo establish the diagnosis of dural penetration on preoperative computed tomographic studies of the cervical spine in patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).ObjectivesTo define before surgery the pathognomonic computed tomographic findings of OPLL extending to and through the dura.Summary Of Background DataOn preoperative computed tomographic studies, Hida et al have described the single-layer sign characterized by a solid mass of hyperdense OPLL and the double-layer sign defined by two (anterior and posterior) ossified rims surrounding a central nonossified but hypertrophied posterior longitudinal ligament. Only 1 of the 9 patients exhibiting the single-layer sign but 10 of 12 patients showing the double-layer sign had no separate dural plane identified at surgery.MethodsOnly 2 of 54 patients undergoing multilevel cervical circumferential OPLL procedures had absent dura at surgery. Computed tomographic examinations for all patients were retrospectively reviewed to determine unique signs of dural penetration.ResultsDura was absent in 1 of 12 patients who had the single-layer CT sign that was additionally characterized by an irregular C angular configuration. Only 1 of 4 patients exhibiting the double-layer computed tomographic sign had absent dura at surgery. The remaining 38 patients had the smooth-layer sign, characterized by more regular margins of classic (22 patients) or early OPLL (16 patients).ConclusionsThe double-layer computed tomographic sign is more pathognomonic for dural penetration than the single-layer sign. The smooth-layer sign, indicating a clean dural plane, is more typical in North American patients.

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