Ultrastructural Differences between Inner and Outer Layers of Human Lumbar Ligamentum Flavum

요추 황색인대의 미세구조 ; 내층과 외층의 차이

Objectives : In lumbar spine surgery it is observed that the ligamentum flavum(LF) is bilayered, and the inner layers can be left in situ to prevent peridural adhesion in open lumbar disc surgeries. The purposes of this study are to investigate ultrastructural differences between the inner and outer layer of lumbar LF by electron microscopic examination, and to see whether these differences are, if present, more prominent in chronic degenerative lumbar spinal disorders as compared with acute lumbar disc diseases. Methods : Biopsy specimens of LF were obtained from nine patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery, five of them for degenerative spinal stenosis and four for acute disc herniation. During the surgery the outer layers of LF were carefully dissected from the inner layer, and four pieces($1{\times}1{\times}1-mm$) of biopsy samples were made from each layer. These were examined with electron microscope for the morphologies and the contents of the elastic and the collagen fibers. Results : The outer layer of LF showed elastic fiber degeneration as evidenced and decreased fiber content, while the inner layer was relatively preserved in both cases of degenerative spinal stenosis and acute disc herniation. The ultrastructural changes of the layers were more evident in the outer layer. Conclusion : With these observations the authors believe that the LF degeneration may occur mainly in the outer layer, and that this fact may aid in making the rationale for using the inner layer as physiologic barrier to prevent peridural adhesion in open lumbar disc surgeries.