Surgical approaches to thoracic ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.

Thoracic ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament is a rare but debilitating condition. It is most commonly diagnosed in the Japanese population. If left untreated, significant myelopathy and weakness can ensue. Anterior decompression and stabilization is effective but technically demanding and is associated with high rate of complications. Posterior laminectomy appears to be an acceptable approach with lower risks. This work reviews the published literature on this topic and highlights the salient points.