T he Role of K-Line and eISSN 2586-6591 Canal-Occupying Ratio in Surgical Outcomes for Multilevel Cervical Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament: A Retrospective Multicenter Study

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the K-line and canal-occupying ratio (COR) on surgi cal outcomes in patients with multilevel cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).
Methods: Patients with cervical myelopathy due to multilevel OPLL who underwent de compression surgery (anterior or posterior) from 2013 to 2022, with 2-year minimum fol low-up, were enrolled. Radiological evaluations included K-line, COR, OPLL type/level, and cervical parameters (C2 slope [C2S], T1 slope [T1S], K-line tilt). Clinical outcomes in cluded Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and neck-pain visual analogue scale.
Patients were categorized by K-line status (+/-) and COR ( < 50% or ≥ 50%).
Results: Among 575 patients, JOA recovery was significantly better in the K-line (+) and in low COR ( <50%). In high COR ( ≥ 50%), K-line (-) was associated with poorer recovery.
In low COR, outcomes were similar regardless of K-line. Anterior decompression with fu sion (ADF) yielded the best outcomes. Laminoplasty (LP) was optimal for COR ≥ 50% and/or K-line (+), while laminectomy with fusion (LF) was better for COR ≥ 50% and K line (-). In high COR, K-line was influenced by cervical alignment, C2S, and T1S, while in low COR, it was mainly affected by COR percentage.
Conclusion: Combining K-line and COR is essential for surgical planning in multilevel OPLL. When COR is high, K-line plays a significant role in predicting neurological recov ery. ADF led to superior recovery, whereas for patients with K-line (-) and high COR, LF offered better results than LP. Cervical parameters at high COR influence the K-line more.