Background: Hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum (LF) has been considered as a major cause
of lumbar central spinal stenosis (LCSS). Previous studies have found that ligamentum flavum
thickness (LFT) is correlated with aging, disc degeneration, and lumbar spinal stenosis. However,
hypertrophy is different from thickness. Thus, to evaluate hypertrophy of the whole LF, we devised
a new morphological parameter, called the ligamentum flavum area (LFA).
Objectives: We hypothesized that the LFA is a key morphologic parameter in the diagnosis of
LCSS.
Study Design: Retrospective observational study.
Setting: The single center study in Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Methods: LF samples were collected from 166 patients with LCSS, and from 167 controls who
underwent lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as part of a routine medical examination. T1-
weighted axial MR imageswere acquired at the facet joint level from individual patients. We measured
the LFA and LFT at the L4-L5 intervertebral level on MRI using a picture archiving and communications
system. The LFA was measured as the cross-sectional area of the whole LF at the L4-L5 stenotic level.
The LFT was measured by drawing a line along the side of the ligament facing the spinal canal and
along the laminar side of the ligament curve and then measuring the thickest point at the L4-L5 level.
Results: The average LFA was 96.56 ± 30.74 mm2
in the control group and 132.69 ± 32.68 mm2
in the LCSS group. The average LFT was 3.61 ± 0.72 mm in the control group and 4.24 ± 0.97
mm in the LCSS group. LCSS patients had significantly higher LFA (P < 0.001) and LFT (P < 0.001).
Regarding the validity of both LFA and LFT as predictors of LCSS, Receiver Operator Characteristics
(ROC) curve analysis showed that the best cut-off point for the LFA was 105.90 mm2
, with 80.1%
sensitivity, 76.0% specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) of 0.83 (95% CI, 0.78 – 0.87). The
best cut off-point of the LFT was 3.74 mm, with 70.5% sensitivity, 66.5% specificity, and AUC of
0.72 (95% CI, 0.66 – 0.77).
Limitations: The principal methodological limitation was the retrospective observational nature.
Anatomically, degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis can involve the central canal, foramina, and
lateral recess. However, we focused on LCSS only.
Conclusions: Although the LFT and LFA were both significantly associated with LCSS, the LFA
was a more sensitive measurement parameter. Thus, to evaluate LCSS patients, the treating doctor
should more carefully analyze the LFA than LFT.
Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval number: S2015-1328-0001
Key words: Ligamentum flavum, ligamentum flavum area, ligamentum flavum thickness, lumbar
central spinal stenosis, hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum, morphological parameter, crosssectional area, optimal cut-off point
Facet Tropism and Orientation: Risk Factors for Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
