Locational Study Of The Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen In The Posterior Longitudinal Ligament Of The Cervical Spine

Objective To explore the developmental mechanism of hypertrophy of the posterior longitudinal ligament by examing the immunolocalization of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen in the posterior longitudinal ligament of the cervical spine and to come up with a evidence that cervical hypertrophied posterior longitudinal ligament were resected. Methods One piece of posterior longitudinal ligament tissues in different place from patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy,cervical disc herniation, Cervical vertebrae trauma( fractures and dislocations of the cervical spine) and hypertrophied posterior longitudinal ligament was extirpated during anterior decompression surgery in the cervical spine, midsagittally sectioned and were stained with HE and immunohistemically stained with an antibody against the proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Results Proliferating cell nuclear antigen in posterior longitudinal ligament tissues were founded in all cases,but were highly expressed in all 5 cases with cervical disc hemiation at disc level ,in 2 of 13 cases with cervical spondylotic myelopathy.in 2 of 5 cases with cervical vertebrae traunia,2 cases with cervical hypertrophied posterior longitudinal ligament at disc and icr spine leveLThe rate of highly expressed PCNA with CDH and HPLL is higher than with CSM and CVT. Conclusions Mechanical andlor inflammatory stimulation caused by the extruded nucleus pulposus or fracture fragament may contribute to the development of hypertrophy of the posterior longitudinal ligament. HPLL and OPLL is a result of regulation of some growth factor. Resection of hypertrophied or ossificated posterior longitudinal ligament prevates clinical symptoms from reoccurring.