Ligamentum Flavum "Buckling"

From the terminology desk: Thickening of the ligamentum flavum is often attributed to the buckling of a normal ligamentum flavum when the disk at that level narrows. Chokshi et al found that there was correlation between facet joint arthropathy and ligamentum flavum thickening and between facet joint arthropathy and ligamentum flavum enhancement. This new data suggests that the perceived thickening represents actual thickening due to the spread of inflammation from the adjacent facet joints.

References

Chokshi FH, Quencer RM, Smoker WR. The "thickened" ligamentum flavum: is it buckling or enlargement? AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2010 Nov;31(10):1813-6.