Which statement is true regarding OPLL, DISH, and OALL?

Which statement is true regarding OPLL, DISH, and OALL?

• A. OPLL is unrelated to DISH.
• B. OPLL is a variant of DISH along with OALL; DISH is associated with obesity and glucose intolerance.
• C. DISH occurs exclusively in the lumbar spine.
• D. OALL is not related to bone formation.

Answer: (B)

These conditions are all disorders of ligament ossification in the spine, and they can overlap in the same patient. DISH is marked by flowing calcifications along the anterior aspect of the spine due to ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament (OALL) and is often seen with metabolic factors like obesity and glucose intolerance. OPLL, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, is a separate process but can occur together with DISH and OALL, so describing OPLL as part of the same spectrum with OALL reflects their potential coexistence. The metabolic association with DISH—obesity and glucose intolerance—further supports this link. The other statements don’t fit: DISH is not confined to the lumbar spine, OALL represents bone formation, and OPLL isn’t completely unrelated to DISH but can be present alongside it.

These conditions are all disorders of ligament ossification in the spine, and they can overlap in the same patient. DISH is marked by flowing calcifications along the anterior aspect of the spine due to ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament (OALL) and is often seen with metabolic factors like obesity and glucose intolerance. OPLL, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, is a separate process but can occur together with DISH and OALL, so describing OPLL as part of the same spectrum with OALL reflects their potential coexistence. The metabolic association with DISH—obesity and glucose intolerance—further supports this link. The other statements don’t fit: DISH is not confined to the lumbar spine, OALL represents bone formation, and OPLL isn’t completely unrelated to DISH but can be present alongside it.