Degenerative spondylolisthesis, synovial cyst of the zygapophyseal joints, and sciatic syndrome: report of two cases and review of the literature.
Two cases of sciatica secondary to nerve root compression by a "synovial cyst" of a zygapophyseal joint are described. In light of these 2 cases and on reviewing the literature, it appears that zygapophyseal joint osteoarthritis with degenerative (or articular) spondylolisthesis can be a predisposing factor to the formation of such synovial expansions and, consequently, the cause of nerve root compression. The coexistence of a lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis with a radicular syndrome should therefore encourage early investigation by computed tomography scan, so that conservative treatment would not be unnecessarily prolonged.
Reust
P
P
Division of Rheumatology, University of Geneva Medical School, Switzerland.
Wendling
D
D
Lagier
R
R
Pageaut
G
G
Reverdin
A
A
Jacquet
G
G
Guidet
M
M
Fallet
G H
GH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000209:etiology*; D012585:Sciatica / Q000209:etiology*; D013168:Spondylolisthesis / Q000150:complications*; D013581:Synovial Cyst / Q000150:complications*