Synovial cyst of the lumbar spine. A case report.
Intraspinal ganglions or synovial cysts most frequently involve the L4-L5 level and the adjacent facet joint reveals characteristic alterations of osteo-arthritis. These cysts usually present with pain, but without additional sensory or motor findings. They cannot be diagnosed on the basis of conventional radiology; myelography shows a filling defect adjacent to the affected facet joint, and the differential diagnosis includes several common and uncommon entities. The CT appearance is however strongly characteristic, showing a cystic structure with occasionally a calcification within its wall. There often is compression of the adjacent dural sac or nerve roots.
Schelfaut
P
P
Van Holsbeeck
B
B
Mortelmans
L
L
D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009192:Myelography; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D013581:Synovial Cyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed