Microscopic morphology of the ligamenta flava in degenerative spine desease and scoliosis.

Only two studies have analyzed the microscopic morphology of the ligamenta flava (LF) in patients with degenerative disease of the lumbar spine. No studies have analyzed the ultrastructure of the LF in patients with structural scoliosis. We are reporting on a hystological, histochemical and ultrastructural study of LF obtained from patients with lumbar disc herniation, lumbar stenosis or idiopathic thoracic scoliosis, using, as controls, LF obtained from patients treated surgically for spinal fractures. Control LF undergo slight fibrosis in old age. LF of patients with disc herniation show no usual changes. Adolescent patients with idiopathic scoliosis have morphologically normal LF. Stenotic patients older than 60 years show marked fibrosis and decrease in the elastic component; these findings may help to clarify the role of LF in the pathogenesis of spinal stenosis