Morphological Changes in the Ligamentum Flavum in Degenerative Lumbar Canal Stenosis: A Prospective, Comparative Study

Prospective, comparative. To compare the histopathological and electron microscopic changes in the ligamentum flavum (LF) between degenerative lumbar canal stenosis (LCS) and lumbar disk herniation (LDH). The LF has been implicated as a key structure in the pathogenesis of LCS. With aging, the LF undergoes morphological changes-a decrease in the elastic component and an increase in the collagen component, in addition to other focal changes. By comparing the histopathological and electron microscopic picture of the LF in elderly patients with LCS with that in young patients with LDH, the role of this ligament in the pathogenesis of LCS may be clarified. Forty patients were prospectively recruited and divided into two groups: group 1 included 20 patients with degenerative LCS aged >55 years and group 2 included patients with LDH aged