White Cord Syndrome secondary to decompressive laminectomy associated with cervical arthrodesis in a patient with Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis and Posterior Longitudinal Ligament Ossification

•White Cord Syndrome (WCS), a rare pathologic condition causing unexplained neurologic deficit after spine surgery. WCS is thought to reflect ischemia/reperfusion mechanisms of parenchymal damage caused by temporary hypoperfusion and worsened by the subsequent attempt of reperfusion.•Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) was first described by Forestier and Rotes-Querol in 1950, being called at that time “Forestier's disease” or “vertebral senile ankylosing hyperostosis.•The ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is defined as an ectopic formation of bone in the posterior longitudinal ligament, generally silent but can result in narrowing of the spinal canal or foraminal narrowing causing myelopathy or radiculopathy gradually or acutely with minimal trauma.•The anterior approach may have a greater degree of difficulty given that the ossified ligament may be attached to the dura and during its manipulation there is a risk of a CSF fistula; however, with localized or focal OPLL this technique can be very effective; however, the most widely used approach is posterior as it is less demanding and can be applied to a wide range of patients.