The Relationship Between The Thoracic Facet Joint Degeneration And Ossification Of The Ligamentum Flavum

ObjectiveTo explore the rule of degeneration of lower thoracic facet joint. To explore the relationship between the thoracic facet joint degeneration and ossification of the ligamentum flavum development. MethodsEighty-four patients diagnosed with "thoracic ossification of ligamenta flava"(TOLF) from March 2013-- March 2016 were affiliated into the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University for thoracic(thoracic 8/9 to thoracic 11/12) 64 CT scans and imaging diagnosis. Data of these patients were gathered as part of the research object. By applying a classification method, degeneration of facet joint was evaluated. Collecting the general condition of patients, TOLF occurred segments, thoracic bilateral facet joint degeneration grade, analysis of the section and side effects on the degree of degeneration was taken. Analysis was made to explore the relationship between thoracic vertebral facet joint degeneration and ossification of the ligamentum flavum development and where there was significant difference between segment of lumbar facet joint degeneration and TOLF. ResultsWith age in the range of 25 to 84 years old, the average age of 84 cases of patients was(56.71 + 11.12) years old, mostly in the range of 50 to 59 years old. The incidence of male is higher than female, approximately 1.6:1(52/32). With the increase of age, the incidence of TOLF increased, reaching the peak in 50 ~ 59 years old. TOLF occurred mostly in thoracic segment 10/11 and 11/12, followed by 9/10 segment of thoracic, while thoracic segment 8/9 occurred the least. In thoracic 9/10 segment, thoracic 10/11 segment and thoracic 11/12 segment TOLF occurred along with the facet joint degeneration, there was significant difference(P < 0.05). In thoracic level of 8/9 segment, TOLF or not, facet joint degeneration was not statistically different.(P = 0.227).There are some differences in the degree of degeneration of facet joints in the lower thoracic segment of the left and right sides of the same segment. The difference was not statistically significant. The degree of degeneration of facet joints in thoracic 8/9 segment and thoracic 9/10 segment was significantly lower than that in other segments. The difference was statistically significant(P<0.01). In 10/11 and 11/12 levels of thoracic, facet joint degeneration was heavy, with no significant differences between the two sides(P>0.05). ConclusionThe occurrence of TOLF in men is higher than in women, mostly in people of 50 ~ 59 years old.Under the same segment of thoracic, facet joint degeneration of bilateral maintained asymmetric features. Thoracic facet joint degeneration in thoracic 10/11 and 11/12 segment was serious than thoracic 8/9 and thoracic 9/10 segment.Facet joint degeneration was significantly higher in the segment occurred TOLF than that of non TOLF ones.